Georgian opposition announces transfer to emergency working mode

The opposition has announced the start of protest actions in all regions of Georgia demanding early parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. A large-scale action is scheduled for May 15 in Tbilisi.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Georgian opposition changed the format of protest actions amid the pressure from the West, by excluding pickets.

Today, at midday, in Tbilisi, in front of the parliament building, the Georgian opposition has announced its further actions. Zaal Udumashvili, the leader of the "National Movement" Party, announced that "the opposition is starting protest actions in all regions of Georgia," the Public Broadcaster reports.

At the same time, the opposition has announced that they would continue peaceful protests. Their demands remain unchanged – early parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. "Yesterday we discussed very important issues and our plans. For a peaceful change of power, it is necessary to release political prisoners and hold early elections," Khatiya Dekanoidze, a member of the "United National Movement" (UNM) Party, said on air of the "Mtavari Arkhi" TV Company, whose words were translated by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

The opposition has announced a rally in Tbilisi today, but after negotiations with the ruling "Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia" Party, they cancelled the event. A new large-scale action is scheduled for May 15. "From today, the opposition is switching over to an emergency regime. Before May 15, numerous actions will be held in Tbilisi and regions," Mr Udumashvili said at the information rally near the parliament building.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 20, 2021 at 12:59 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.