UNM opposition chair Bokuchava meets PACE President, calls for action on ‘political prisoners’, Georgia’s EU path

Tina Bokuchava, Chairwoman of Georgia’s opposition United National Movement, has met with Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), amid growing international scrutiny of Georgia’s political climate.

Speaking after the meeting on Thursday, Bokuchava welcomed what she called a “historic day” at the Council of Europe, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s signing of an agreement to establish a special tribunal to investigate Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

She criticised the ruling Georgian Dream delegation for failing to support the initiative, accusing them of aligning with “Russian interests”. 

Bokuchava also said the meeting with the PACE President focused on concerns over political repression in Georgia and the need for democratic reforms.

“Today is also an important day, because the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe will hold a debate on the issue of Georgia, demanding the release of political prisoners and holding new parliamentary elections,” she said.

Bokuchava accused the Georgian government of undermining the country’s European aspirations. “We discussed the need to return Georgia to the path of European integration, while Ivanishvili [the ruling party founder and its honorary chair] is taking steps towards Georgia’s international isolation every day,” she added.