The News in Brief
Wednesday, September 22
Prepared by the Messenger Staff
Nika Melia Leaves the Public Broadcaster Debates in Protest
As a statement of protest, Nika Melia, the United National Movement's mayoral candidate in Tbilisi, walked out of the capital's mayoral debates on Public Broadcaster.
Nika Melia called the mayoral candidate of the Georgian Dream in Tbilisi corrupt and a protector of criminals during the discussion, which featured 16 Tbilisi mayoral contenders.
Melia stated that he left the studio because he did not want to be in the same room as "a violent, corrupt, nasty man who leads criminals."
Melia showed a photo of a person injured during the Dmanisi clash when addressing Kakha Kaladze and the Georgian Dream, after which he left the room.
Tina Bokuchava says the group that attacked our supporters in Dmanisi were directly led by members of the Georgian Dream
Tina Bokuchava demands the arrest of those who stabbed opposition members in Dmanisi yesterday.
“There are footages, there are a lot of witnesses, therefore, we demand the immediate arrest of the perpetrators,” said Tina Bokuchava, a member of the National Movement while talking about the violence against the party members in Dmanisi.
“Very serious incident took place in Dmanisi today. During a meeting with the supporters of the opposition mayoral candidate in the village of Gantiadi, a group of 20-30 aggressive people attacked our supporters. This group was directly led by members of the Georgian Dream.
In particular, the group was led by Zurab Okmelashvili, a person who has participated in violent political acts in the past. Zurab Okmelashvili's daughter Maka Okmelashvili is number three on the Georgian Dream list in Dmanisi.
In addition, Davit Dautashvili, the son of a local majoritarian candidate, the son of Mikheil Dautashvili, used a cold weapon to inflict severe wounds on two of our supporters.
Of course, the responsibility lies not only with those directly involved in the attack, but also with senior Georgian Dream officials, as they incite such violence through their own rhetoric, statements, campaigns, violent posters, attacks on journalists - therefore they are responsible for this heinous crime that took place in Dmanisi today.
We heard statements from Mikheil Dautashvili denying that his son was there, but it is in the footage. Mikheil Dautashvili himself was present with a firearm, which we are sure he does not have the right to carry legally.
This candidate should be removed, as well as all persons related to him from the list. We appeal to non-governmental organizations, the Public Defender, it is very important that the diplomatic corps and observation missions respond in a timely and rigorous manner to prevent similar acts of violence,” stated UNM’s Bokuchava.
Nika Melia Leaves the Public Broadcaster Debates in Protest
As a statement of protest, Nika Melia, the United National Movement's mayoral candidate in Tbilisi, walked out of the capital's mayoral debates on Public Broadcaster.
Nika Melia called the mayoral candidate of the Georgian Dream in Tbilisi corrupt and a protector of criminals during the discussion, which featured 16 Tbilisi mayoral contenders.
Melia stated that he left the studio because he did not want to be in the same room as "a violent, corrupt, nasty man who leads criminals."
Melia showed a photo of a person injured during the Dmanisi clash when addressing Kakha Kaladze and the Georgian Dream, after which he left the room.
Tina Bokuchava says the group that attacked our supporters in Dmanisi were directly led by members of the Georgian Dream
Tina Bokuchava demands the arrest of those who stabbed opposition members in Dmanisi yesterday.
“There are footages, there are a lot of witnesses, therefore, we demand the immediate arrest of the perpetrators,” said Tina Bokuchava, a member of the National Movement while talking about the violence against the party members in Dmanisi.
“Very serious incident took place in Dmanisi today. During a meeting with the supporters of the opposition mayoral candidate in the village of Gantiadi, a group of 20-30 aggressive people attacked our supporters. This group was directly led by members of the Georgian Dream.
In particular, the group was led by Zurab Okmelashvili, a person who has participated in violent political acts in the past. Zurab Okmelashvili's daughter Maka Okmelashvili is number three on the Georgian Dream list in Dmanisi.
In addition, Davit Dautashvili, the son of a local majoritarian candidate, the son of Mikheil Dautashvili, used a cold weapon to inflict severe wounds on two of our supporters.
Of course, the responsibility lies not only with those directly involved in the attack, but also with senior Georgian Dream officials, as they incite such violence through their own rhetoric, statements, campaigns, violent posters, attacks on journalists - therefore they are responsible for this heinous crime that took place in Dmanisi today.
We heard statements from Mikheil Dautashvili denying that his son was there, but it is in the footage. Mikheil Dautashvili himself was present with a firearm, which we are sure he does not have the right to carry legally.
This candidate should be removed, as well as all persons related to him from the list. We appeal to non-governmental organizations, the Public Defender, it is very important that the diplomatic corps and observation missions respond in a timely and rigorous manner to prevent similar acts of violence,” stated UNM’s Bokuchava.