Georgian opposition leaders criticize potential ban on United National Movement

Opposition figures in Georgia are raising alarms regarding legal efforts to ban the United National Movement (UNM) party. Davit Zurabishvili argued that attempting to eliminate the movement through bans and political restrictions is unrealistic, suggesting that such measures would necessitate widespread repression affecting more than just the targeted group.

Irakli Kupradze, a leader of the Strong Georgia-Lelo alliance, criticized the impartiality of the Constitutional Court. He alleged that judge Sergo Metophiashvili was instrumental in establishing the Murusidze-Chinchaladze clan within the judicial system during his tenure on the High Council of Justice. Kupradze also questioned the background of judge Vasil Roinishvili, noting his previous role as an investigator in the Sergeants Roin Shavadze murder case, which the European Court of Human Rights previously ruled had not been properly investigated.

The legal proceedings regarding the opposition parties have seen significant friction, with Kupradze noting that the opposition remains unclear on the specific grounds of the challenges brought by the ruling Georgian Dream party.