October rally ended idea of illegal change of power, People’s Power party MP

Guram Macharashvili from the People’s Power party on Friday said events on 4 October, when part of opposition groups announced the peaceful government change during protests, marked the end of attempts to overthrow the government or change power illegally in Georgia.

Macharashvili, the party’s executive secretary, said the date represented not only the failure of alleged coup and revolutionary attempts, but also the collapse of the very idea behind them.

He said there was no longer any desire for such actions, including among most supporters of the United National Movement, adding that “ideologically, attempts at overthrow and revolution were broken on 4 October”.

Macharashvili also said even supporters of the opposition party had not taken part in what he described as revolutionary scenarios.

He added that the most important outcome of the day was the end of any idea of illegally changing the government. Those who had participated in attempted acts of overthrow, he said, should be held accountable under the law.

Macharashvili further added there should be no exemptions based on profession or status, arguing that journalists or politicians should not enjoy immunity for actions such as arson, throwing Molotov cocktails, destroying fences, damaging property, or harassing politicians and their family members.

He said such actions should no longer go unpunished and that all those responsible would be held accountable in accordance with Georgian law.