UNM opposition condemns arrest of 15 protesters, including four party members

The United National Movement (UNM) opposition on Tuesday condemned what it called a new wave of political repression, claiming that the government had arrested 15 peaceful demonstrators, including four of its members - Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Sergo Megrelishvili, Abo Naveriani, and Kakha Mzhavanadze.

The party referred to the authorities as a “Russian criminal and traitorous regime,” alleging that the detentions had been carried out on fabricated charges aimed at intimidating patriots and suppressing public dissent.

“The regime’s goal is to frighten patriots into abandoning the fight to free Georgia from Russian rule,” the statement read. “But they do not understand that the Georgian people will never accept Russian domination or the seizure of Georgia by a criminal gang.”

The UNM claimed that its “peaceful struggle will continue” until, in its words, “the victory of the Georgian people.” It also expressed solidarity with all “political prisoners” and ended the statement with the slogan“Glory to Georgia!”

The party framed the arrests on October 4, during the municipal vote, at the pre-announced rally, as part of a broader pattern of crackdowns on opposition voices and vowed to persist in its campaign against what it described as a “puppet regime serving Moscow’s interests.”