UNM Batumi branch accuses ruling party of exerting pressure on its deceased member

The United National Movement (UNM) opposition party Batumi branch has released an audio recording and accused the individuals ‘affiliated’ with the ruling Georgian Dream party of exerting pressure on its newly elected member in Batumi City Assembly, Nugzar Putkaradze, who died on November 18. 

The UNM claims that the people connected with Adjara government head, Tornike Rizhvadze, were phoning, exercising pressure on Putkaradze and also offering him bribe to leave the party, as by the election of Putkaradze the opposition won majority in Batumi City Assembly. 

The party says that Putkaradze himself made the recording. 

The party is demanding Tornike Rizhvadze and others involved in the case to be held accountable. 

Rizhvadze has dismissed the allegations.