Opposition boycotts parliament session, pushes for dismissal of interior minister
The opposition demanded a discussion of the resolution text regarding the dismissal of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. The photo depicts Gakharia’s bust in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, placed there by demonstrators. Photo: Agenda.ge.
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The United National Movement and the European Georgia opposition have boycotted the plenary session in parliament earlier today, after the Georgian Dream ruling party declined to discuss a resolution text on the dismissal of Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia, drafted by European Georgia MPs.
Demonstrators gathered outside the parliament building are protesting the conduct of the parliamentary session in an ordinary manner and are demanding the resignation of Gakharia because of the June 20 rally dispersal in Tbilisi, sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament.
It is how the plenary session started today in the Georgia parliament. Video: TV1.
All our members and supporters will be present at the rallies in Tbilisi,” Zaal Udumashvili, from the United National Movement said.
Members of the Georgian Dream ruling party say that the opposition continues the “destructive actions” they started on June 20.
10 law enforcers have been suspended from duty due to the June 20 rally. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge.
You [addressing the opposition] used the public’s justified and sincere protest to stage provocations, which led to the current tension in the country. You wish for a coup, this is your goal and you are doing your utmost for his, using all destructive methods,” Mamuka Mdinaradze from the Georgian Dream told the opposition.
Two top demands of the opposition have already been met. However, they say that rallies will continue until Gakharia resigns and all those detained during rallies in Tbilisi are released.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that after 2020 parliamentary elections the county may have a coalition government, as, for the first time, the race is likely to take place with the proportional electoral system with a zero threshold.
Composed again largely of youth, the demonstrators gathered in front of the parliament of Georgia on the fifth consecutive day. Monday's peaceful demonstration ended at around 12 a.m. with the protesters marching around the parliament of Georgia holding hands and singing the national anthem. Calling everyone to rejoin them every day at 7 p.m. on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi, the organisers say their other demands still need to be fulfilled.
The European Union Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell said Ambassadors of EU members states welcome the Georgian Dream ruling party’s decision to conduct the 2020 parliamentary elections on the proportional electoral system alone.
Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia has requested parliament in an official letter to allow him to speak about the June 20-21 developments and rallies in Tbilisi at the parliament’s plenary session tomorrow, the Ministry of Internal Affairs says.
A member of the United National Movement parliamentary opposition, MP Nika Melia has been charged with organising violence by a group, heading the group and participation in the violence during the June 20-21 rallies in Tbilisi, the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office says.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze says that the “destructive and irresponsible” calls and appeals by the opposition transformed “a peaceful and justified” rally in Tbilisi into unrest on June 20 and the opposition members carry responsibility for that, commenting on recent charges against United National Movement MP Nika Melia.
The Georgian Parliament’s Procedural and Legal Issues Committee has approved the suspension of MP immunity for opposition MP Nika Melia, giving a green light to the Chief Prosecutor’s Office to detain the legislator for possible incitement to violence during the June 20 rally in Tbilisi.
The Georgian parliament has voted to suspend MP immunity for United National Movement opposition MP Nika Melia, upholding yesterday's request from the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office yesterday to detain the legislator for possible incitement to violence during the June 20 rally in Tbilisi.
The United National Movement MP Nika Melia, who stands charged with incitement to violence during the June 20 rally in Tbilisi, has been released on 30,000 GEL [$10,000] bail.
Georgian Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia has given a televised explanation about the June 20 rally on Rustaveli Avenue in central Tbilisi that was dispersed by police after a part of the demonstrators decided to storm the parliament building, as a result of which 305 people were detained and 240 injured.