Opposition leader Melia charged over UNM activities investigation

The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office on Monday filed charges against Nika Melia, a leading figure in the opposition Coalition for Change and former chair of the United National Movement, in connection with an investigation into the activities of the UNM during its time in office between 2003-2012.

The case follows a recommendation by a parliamentary commission led by the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Melia, who was summoned to testify before the investigative commission chaired by Vice Speaker Thea Tsulukiani on 11 April, dismissed the charges as politically motivated and part of a broader campaign of repression.

Speaking to the press after his appearance at the Prosecutor’s Office, Melia said “the more the intensity of repression and repressive steps taken by [Bidzina] Ivanishvili [the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party] increases, the closer the Georgian people will be to changes – not just victory, not just the defeat of Ivanishvili, which is very important, but even more important are changes, changes for the better, which are inevitable. As for the specific case, there is no point in talking about it. Everything that the so-called government has been doing in recent years is absolutely illegal”, he said.