The News in Brief
Wednesday, April 21
Prepared by the Messenger Staff
Lelo’s Japaridze: We need to find a way to release Nika Melia immediately
Lelo’s Badri Japaridze made a statement regarding Nika Melia’s staying in prison.
“He is staying strong. He certainly does not have the feeling that the political crisis in the country has eased today because until Nika Melia is released, it is too early to talk about easing the political crisis.”
Japaridze said that the Georgian Dream must understand that a way out of this situation has to be found, and added that “this cannot happen at the expense of sacrificing moral principles.”
“Offering bail is not a solution, it is clear to everyone that Nika Melia considers paying bail illegal.”
Lelo leader Japaridze is going to visit Melia in jail after meeting with Charles Michel in the parliament. According to the party's press service, Japaridze is going to introduce the arrested UNM leader to the positions of Charles Michel.
Lelo, like part of the opposition parties, signed the document offered by Charles Michel. The National Movement and European Georgia have not signed the document.
Public defender calls on Prosecutor’s Office to release Melia
Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria visited Nika Melia, Chairman of the National Movement in Rustavi N12 Penitentiary Institution.
According to the ombudsman, Melia's position on the bail issue remains unchanged.
He also noted that the prosecutor's office can dismiss the chairman of the UNM today and appealed to the investigation agency to make the decision as soon as possible.
My position is that the prosecutor's office can release Nika Melia today. This is possible even without bail, and if an agreement is reached to stabilize the political situation, an agreement and civil peace can take place. They are completely free to make this decision. My recommendation would be to the prosecutor's office to make this decision as soon as possible, but I don’t know what the Prosecutor's Office or the government are planning on,” stated Lomjaria.
Ugulava: Opposition should sign the document, but the boycott should end after Melia's release
Politician Gigi Ugulava is responding to a new document proposed by Western partners to the government and the opposition, saying tactical changes are needed to achieve strategic goals.
According to Ugulava, the opposition, after uniting around Melia as a political prisoner, should unite around him as the sole candidate for Tbilisi mayor.
"For this, I support the opposition signing the Charles Michel document, but ending the parliamentary boycott when Nika Melia leaves prison. It is inconceivable that the opposition sits in Parliament while Melia- in prison," wrote Ugulava.
Lelo’s Japaridze: We need to find a way to release Nika Melia immediately
Lelo’s Badri Japaridze made a statement regarding Nika Melia’s staying in prison.
“He is staying strong. He certainly does not have the feeling that the political crisis in the country has eased today because until Nika Melia is released, it is too early to talk about easing the political crisis.”
Japaridze said that the Georgian Dream must understand that a way out of this situation has to be found, and added that “this cannot happen at the expense of sacrificing moral principles.”
“Offering bail is not a solution, it is clear to everyone that Nika Melia considers paying bail illegal.”
Lelo leader Japaridze is going to visit Melia in jail after meeting with Charles Michel in the parliament. According to the party's press service, Japaridze is going to introduce the arrested UNM leader to the positions of Charles Michel.
Lelo, like part of the opposition parties, signed the document offered by Charles Michel. The National Movement and European Georgia have not signed the document.
Public defender calls on Prosecutor’s Office to release Melia
Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria visited Nika Melia, Chairman of the National Movement in Rustavi N12 Penitentiary Institution.
According to the ombudsman, Melia's position on the bail issue remains unchanged.
He also noted that the prosecutor's office can dismiss the chairman of the UNM today and appealed to the investigation agency to make the decision as soon as possible.
My position is that the prosecutor's office can release Nika Melia today. This is possible even without bail, and if an agreement is reached to stabilize the political situation, an agreement and civil peace can take place. They are completely free to make this decision. My recommendation would be to the prosecutor's office to make this decision as soon as possible, but I don’t know what the Prosecutor's Office or the government are planning on,” stated Lomjaria.
Ugulava: Opposition should sign the document, but the boycott should end after Melia's release
Politician Gigi Ugulava is responding to a new document proposed by Western partners to the government and the opposition, saying tactical changes are needed to achieve strategic goals.
According to Ugulava, the opposition, after uniting around Melia as a political prisoner, should unite around him as the sole candidate for Tbilisi mayor.
"For this, I support the opposition signing the Charles Michel document, but ending the parliamentary boycott when Nika Melia leaves prison. It is inconceivable that the opposition sits in Parliament while Melia- in prison," wrote Ugulava.