Opposition claims rally will focus on joint action, rejects escalation

One of the leaders of the opposition Coalition for Change, Nika Gvaramia, has said a large turnout was expected at today’s rally in Tbilisi and pledged that opposition groups would act together with the public to “save the country”.

Speaking ahead of the demonstration, Gvaramia said opposition parties would present plans for coordinated action together with citizens.

He said the opposition had no plans to escalate the situation and called on both the authorities and what he described as government provocateurs to refrain from provocations.

“We plan together, act together and together we will save this country,” Gvaramia said.

The opposition alliance is due to hold a rally in central Tbilisi later today. The march is scheduled to begin at 19:00 near the first building of Tbilisi State University before moving towards the parliament building.