There is no point in appealing to Ivanishvili, I will appeal to the policemen – don’t let a Georgian confront a Georgian! – Giorgi Gakharia, the leader of the “Gakharia for Georgia” party, announced this at a briefing, thus responding to the events that took place at the rally yesterday.
He claimed that the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, confronted peaceful protesters with illegitimate force.
Gakharia calls on the friends of Georgia in Washington, Brussels, Paris, Berlin and elsewhere to form a united and clear position on the ongoing political processes in Georgia, to prevent civil strife in the country, to protect free, competitive and fair elections.
“Yesterday, we have seen unprovoked violence against peaceful citizens, students, youth and women.
This was an exemplary punitive violence aimed at instilling fear in the public.
The traces of this unprovoked violence, this time, openly leads to Ivanishvili.
Ivanishvili used illegitimate force against peaceful protesters.
Some of you may remind me of June 20th. I don’t need to be reminded of this.
Unlike these little frightened boys, I didn’t hide behind the back of police officers on June 20th. Neither did I abandon the youth during Basiani protests. I stood between people and police in Pankisi.
I will keep standing wherever our peace, European future and prevention of civic confrontation require from me – in the capitals of Europe, Parliament, in the street.
Appealing to Ivanishvili does not make sense anymore.
I appleal to the police officers!
You pledged to serve the Country and citizens – not the Party.
They will hide behind your backs leaving you alone to confront your people and future of your Country.
You must not allow confrontation among Georgians.
We appeal to strategic partners of Georgia in Washington, Brussels, Berlin, Paris and elsewhere to elaborate joint position on the ongoing political process in Georgia in order to avoid civil confrontation and ensure free, fair and competitive elections. We need each other. Let’s join forces to put Georgia back to the path of normal democratic development.
I would like to appeal to people, Ivanishvili is already defeated whether he adopts Russian law or not, and on October 26 we will together formalize Georgia’s return to the European family,” he stated.
Related story: NGOs: Crackdown on a peaceful demonstration against Russian law illegitimate & disproportionate
