President on UNM Chair’s arrest: Neither time, nor form were adequate though it was not up to me to decide

15:15, 09.03.2021

“Neither time, nor the form were adequate though it was not up to me to decide,” Salome Zourabichvili, President of Georgia told the BBC when commenting on the arrest of Nika Melia, Chairman of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party.

On the question if she thought that the Georgian government had to release Melia, President said she did not plan to give any instruction to the government.

President of Georgia also commented about the deadlock in the political dialogue between the ruling Georgian Dream party and the opposition.

She claimed that more work was necessary to find a compromise for the benefit of Georgia, Georgian people and all political parties. “I urge both sides, the government and opposition, to stop theoretic, provocations and prepare for the dialogue,” President said.

Salome Zourabichvili said both sides had to do more if they truly believed that Georgia had European future. “I don’t believe that this crisis will stop the European path,” President told the BBC.

By - Elene Dobordjginidze

Politics

BBC

Salome Zourabichvili