Statement from United Opposition on Zurabishvili Death Threats

The United Opposition released a statement this evening on presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvhili's recently voiced allegations of death threats against her and her family. 

The statement read:

"The United Opposition and its presidential candidate Gregory Vashadze unequivocally condemn all forms of violence and/or threats of violence directed at any public figure.  The United Opposition has no involvement in, nor knowledge of, the alleged death threats against presidential candidate Salome Zurabishvili and members of her family.

Zurabishvili has declined to identify individuals making the threats. She does not allege that any member of any party in the United Opposition coalition is responsible; however, she has claimed that social media posts of those making the threats indicate their support of the United National Movement (UNM), one of the parties in the United Opposition.  

The United Opposition encourages the Ministry of Interior (MIA) to conduct a timely investigation into Zurabishvili’s allegations and bring to justice all those responsible, regardless of their political affiliation. Without a timely investigation and disclosure of evidence, these allegations may be perceived as unfounded attempts of victimization by the candidate for electoral purposes.

We also call on the MIA to investigate other cases of politically motivated violence, particularly recent incidents in Kaspi, Marneuli and Akhalkalaki, as well as threats of violence, including systematic intimidation against opposition activists and supporters. We call on public figures, including Speaker of Parliament Irakli Kobakhidze and Vice-Speaker Irma Inashvili, to abstain from statements inciting violence. Finally, we demand a requalification of charges pressed against four individuals involved in the brutal beating of opposition members in Akhalkalaki, who have been released on bail.

We believe impunity breeds an atmosphere of violence, which threatens the peaceful, democratic process in the lead-up to the runoff presidential election."