The News in Brief
Monday, September 16, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
"Apology? Never!" - Protest in Kutaisi Against Ivanishvili's Remarks
A protest titled "Apology? Never and Not Ever!" took place near the Meskhishvili Theatre in Kutaisi. The demonstrators protested against the recent statements made by Georgian Dream leader Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The protesters label the oligarch's messages as capitulatory and demand that Georgian Dream members apologize for what they call their leader's "Russian narrative."
"What Russia couldn't achieve in 2008, the oligarch is doing today," the demonstrators claim.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of Georgian Dream, recently gave a speech in Gori, where he discussed the August War and issues of territorial integrity. In his remarks, Ivanishvili once again blamed not Russia but the former government for the 2008 war and called for a "Nuremberg trial" against the United National Movement. According to Ivanishvili, the August War was a "provocation planned externally," with the former government responsible for igniting it. Despite Russia's attack and subsequent occupation in 2008, Ivanishvili said that, after the elections, "they will find the strength to apologize for the fact that the United National Movement engulfed our Ossetian sisters and brothers in flames in 2008."
Tbilisi Court Approves Anti-Corruption Bureau's Access to "Vote for Europe" Bank Data
The Tbilisi City Court has authorized the Anti-Corruption Bureau to access the bank account information of the founders of the "Vote for Europe" movement, as well as the organization itself. Kakha Kozhoridze, the movement's lawyer, criticized the decision as "absolutely unlawful" and plans to appeal to the Tbilisi Court of Appeals.
The "Vote for Europe" movement, launched by President Salome Zurabishvili on July 11, aims to protect Georgia's European future and mobilize pro-Western voters ahead of the October 26 elections. The lawyer argues that the movement does not have a declared electoral purpose and therefore the Bureau's actions violate Georgian law. Kozhoridze emphasized that neither the movement nor its founders have declared any intention to run for office.
At a press conference on September 13, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the Anti-Corruption Bureau's actions, claiming the movement is agitating for the opposition, particularly the UNM-led coalitions, and suggested possible illegal election funding.
"Apology? Never!" - Protest in Kutaisi Against Ivanishvili's Remarks
The protesters label the oligarch's messages as capitulatory and demand that Georgian Dream members apologize for what they call their leader's "Russian narrative."
"What Russia couldn't achieve in 2008, the oligarch is doing today," the demonstrators claim.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of Georgian Dream, recently gave a speech in Gori, where he discussed the August War and issues of territorial integrity. In his remarks, Ivanishvili once again blamed not Russia but the former government for the 2008 war and called for a "Nuremberg trial" against the United National Movement. According to Ivanishvili, the August War was a "provocation planned externally," with the former government responsible for igniting it. Despite Russia's attack and subsequent occupation in 2008, Ivanishvili said that, after the elections, "they will find the strength to apologize for the fact that the United National Movement engulfed our Ossetian sisters and brothers in flames in 2008."
Tbilisi Court Approves Anti-Corruption Bureau's Access to "Vote for Europe" Bank Data
The "Vote for Europe" movement, launched by President Salome Zurabishvili on July 11, aims to protect Georgia's European future and mobilize pro-Western voters ahead of the October 26 elections. The lawyer argues that the movement does not have a declared electoral purpose and therefore the Bureau's actions violate Georgian law. Kozhoridze emphasized that neither the movement nor its founders have declared any intention to run for office.
At a press conference on September 13, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze defended the Anti-Corruption Bureau's actions, claiming the movement is agitating for the opposition, particularly the UNM-led coalitions, and suggested possible illegal election funding.