Ruling party accuses UNM supporters of using guns in provocation attempt

Police are investigating an early morning incident where political supporters of an opposition political party allegedly armed themselves with guns and went into the headquarters of ruling party Georgian Dream Democratic Georgia (GDDG).

Executive Secretary of the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GDDG) party Irakli Kobakhidze said supporters of United National Movement (UNM) turned up at the GDDG’s Saburtalo office at dawn this morning, armed with guns in an attempt to stage a "dirty provocation”.

They were dressed in GDDG t-shirts and had pistols in their belts,” said Kobakhidze.

They went into the Saburtalo office and started talking with our staff. It appeared they wanted to film the situation from outside and then claim that we had armed people and criminals in the [GDDG] office.”

Kobakhidze said three UNM supporters visited the election office of GDDG majoritarian nominee in Saburtalo Levan Gogichaishvili. He claimed two of those involved were election staff members of UNM majoritarian candidate in central Saburtalo district Sevdia Ugrekhelidze. 

Kobakhidze said UNM didn’t hadn’t changed its style and the party was "good at planning dirty provocations”. 

But it is obvious the party lacks resources to fulfill such provocations,” Kobakhidze said, adding GDDG staff quickly guessed it was a provocation attempt and called police.

In response UNM member Sergo Ratiani said the allegations were a "lie” and Kobakhidze was "on the verge of insanity”, as the ruling party was on its way to losing the October 8 Parliamentary Elections. 

A short time ago UNM majoritarian candidate in central Saburtalo district Sevdia Ugrekhelidze announced those who had visited the GDDG office had been "fired” from UNM for "spying”. 

She added she didn’t personally know all her party’s supporters as it was "quite easy” to get necessary documentation to become a member of UNM.