GD MP: UNM opposition members on hunger strike as Saakashvili’s issue not on agenda

The ruling Georgian Dream MP Shalva Papuashvili says that members of the United National Movement opposition party and its supporters launched a ‘mass hunger-strike’ earlier this week as the topic of imprisoned former president Mikheil Saakashvili ‘is no longer popular,’ and that the party wishes to attract attention. 

 

He stated that hunger is not the form  of the protest politicians should use to achieve their goal. 

 

Papuashvili says that the UNM members are trying to blackmail the government with the use of their health. 

 

The UNM says that up to 300 individuals are on hunger strike at the headquarters of the party office, demanding the release of Saakashvili. 

 

The Georgian president and the public advocate have stated that they do not welcome the move.