Papuashvili Advocates for Banning UNM and Urges Non-Interference from Foreign Partners
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, August 26, 2024
Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Georgian Parliament, has called for the banning of the United National Movement (UNM) in a recent press briefing. He criticized both the party and international support for it, emphasizing the need for legal action.
Papuashvili referred to the Strasbourg court case Ochigava v Georgia, which he claims found evidence of systemic torture in Georgian prisons attributed to the UNM.
"The Strasbourg Court directly stated that a system of torture was created in prisons in Georgia. It was systemic torture!" he asserted.
He expressed surprise that some foreign representatives continue to support the UNM despite these findings. "I am a little surprised when representatives of different countries justify the United National Movement," he said, calling for adherence to democratic and legal mechanisms.
Papuashvili stated that other countries, including Ukraine and Moldova, have taken legal measures against certain parties and suggested that Georgia should do the same with the UNM. "The main goal is that the United National Movement as a party and an ideology is punished by law in Georgia," he stated.
He urged foreign partners to avoid interfering in Georgia's legal and democratic processes.
"I would like especially the foreign partners to be careful here, not to be perceived as an interference in the legal procedures, in the democratic process," he added.
According to Papuashvili, criminals should not have a place in politics.
"We do not pick and choose our opponents. It is up to the public to decide who should be whose opponent. We say that criminals have no place in politics. This is the case in all democratic states," he said.
