Gvaramia: opposition cannot act while political prisoners remain behind bars

Opposition leader Nika Gvaramia has said the Coalition for Change could not define positions or demands “while key activists remained imprisoned,” ahead of a strategic meeting of the alliance.

“There are many issues under consideration, including support for the protest movement, our general approach to the working format, and the procedures for decision-making,” Gvaramia said.

He stressed that the ruling authorities were attempting to weaken opposition efforts by targeting individuals. “We are facing a regime that will try by all means to remove individual actors from this struggle. I don’t think they will succeed, but unified decisions are always beneficial,” he added.

Gvaramia stressed that the coalition’s first priority was the release of political detainees. “Neither demands will be formed nor positions adopted as long as people are in prison. The first step is to ensure that political prisoners are released,” he said.