UNM MP: Ruling Georgian Dream leader Ivanishvili is a traitor

Opposition MP and deputy chair of the National Committee of the

United National Movement (UNM), Khatia Dekanoidze, has criticized Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, labeling him a “traitor” in a recent statement.

Speaking about Ivanishvili’s remarks in Gori, a city heavily bombed by Russian forces during the 2008 war, Dekanoidze accused him of betraying the nation.

“After Bidzina Ivanishvili’s traitorous statements in Gori, where he called on the Georgian people to apologize to Russian occupiers and to those who insulted the Georgian army, it’s clear why Mikheil Saakashvili is being held in prison under his orders,” Dekanoidze said, speaking about former President Mikheil Saakashvili who is in prison for various charges.

She further stressed that Ivanishvili’s political agenda is driven by a desire to suppress Saakashvili.

“Bidzina Ivanishvili will not win. He is a traitor. It is obvious now why he needs Mikheil Saakashvili behind bars, and everyone must understand that Saakashvili is imprisoned simply because he saved Georgian statehood. That is the reality,” she added.

Ex-President Saakashvili has been in prison since October 1, 2021. He was arrested upon returning to Georgia after years in exile, primarily in Ukraine, where he had also been politically active. Saakashvili returned to Georgia secretly ahead of the local elections, despite facing criminal charges in absentia for abuse of power during his presidency. UNM and its supporters have long claimed that Saakashvili’s incarceration is politically motivated and an attempt to silence one of Ivanishvili’s strongest critics.