Opposition Rallies at City Council Result in Detentions

At least 8 people were arrested at Tuesday’s rallies outside Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo), which were held by the opposition the United National Movement (UNM) and the European Georgia separately.

The demonstrators were protesting closure of the Sakrebulo sitting, where two controversial projects were adopted by the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) majority: transfer of two land plots 1,900 and 4,700 square meters in size for a symbolic price - one Gel to a company which will build a large car park and a recreational complex there.

The opposition members claim the company belongs to the tycoon Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is the founder of the Ruling Georgian Dream party and ex-Prime minister of Georgia.

The car park will be constructed near Freedom Square, while the multifunctional recreational center will be located on mount Tabori, overseeing Tbilisi and adjacent to the botanical garden, which is near Ivanishvili’s palace in Mtatsminda district.

The entrance of Tbilisi City Council was blocked by the police and guards, which resulted in confrontation between the law enforcers and the demonstrators.

Moreover, Irakli Nadiradze, the Tbilisi City Council deputy says he and other members of the National Movement party were expelled from the City Council session by force.

Nadiradze pointed out that the ruling Georgian Dream made an illegal decision by giving the areas of Pushkini Park and Tabori Mountain to Bidzina Ivanishvili for one lari.

Another member of the UNM, Roman Gotsiridze says that after the majority’s actions, signs of authoritarian regime are obvious.

The UNM Tbilisi mayoral candidate, Zaal Udumashvili says that the closure of the Sakrebulo sitting was an illegal decision of the ruling party.

He announced that the party will hold another protest rally on October 14, adding up to 10 UNM members were detained at the rally.

Giga Bokeria, one of the leaders of the European Georgia says that the interior minister Giorgi Mghebrishvili has to arrive at the parliament and provide explanations about the actions of law enforcers at Sakrebulo.

The Chair of Sakrebulo, Giorgi Alibegashvili says that the transfer of two land plots to a company will bring million Gel investments to Tbilisi.

He added the police were mobilized outside the building in order to avoid any provocations.

“If anyone disagrees with the decision of majority members of Sakrebulo, they can appeal the decision for 30 days,” he added.

Tbilisi Mayor, Davit Narmania also commented on the issue. He said that the City Council Chair made a correct decision when he closed the sitting and did not let the opposition representatives in the building.

“Some opposition MPs and their supporters, particularly in recent years, are aggressive and prevent us from holding sessions in a normal way, this is why we made the decision to close the sitting,” he stated.

By Thea Morrison

Photo source: newposts.ge

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