Lawsuit seeking to ban opposition parties ‘treasonous attempt’, UNM

United National Movement leader Khatia Dekanoidze has described Georgian Dream’s lawsuit seeking to ban opposition parties as “treasonous,” warning that it poses a serious threat to Georgia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and statehood.

Speaking at a briefing outside the Government Administration, Dekanoidze said the lawsuit, filed with the Constitutional Court, should not be viewed merely as an attempt to ban party registration numbers or strip specific individuals of their right to engage in political activity.

She claimed the lawsuit is based on the findings of the commission led by Thea Tsulukiani and incorporates two demands that she claims reflect Russia’s interests.

She argued that the lawsuit seeks to attribute responsibility for Russia’s 2008 military aggression to Georgia and refers to a Russian-proposed non-use-of-force document, which she said would effectively amount to recognizing Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region.

Dekanoidze also claimed that the lawsuit seeks to establish the unconstitutionality of Georgia’s relations with the European Union and other international partners.

Describing the lawsuit as a “Zorkin document,” Dekanoidze alleged that Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and other party representatives are pursuing an “anti-national policy” aimed at legitimizing Russian propaganda through a Constitutional Court ruling.

Asked whether the United National Movement would participate in the proceedings, Dekanoidze said the party would issue a separate statement on the matter.

The Constitutional Court is scheduled to hold hearings on Georgian Dream’s lawsuit seeking to ban opposition parties on October 21-23.