MP Gabunia: UNM and its “branches” are a hostile force, and I expect the court to uphold the ban

“The United National Movement and its branches are a force that has repeatedly created problems for the state and is engaged in anti-state activities,” said MP Giorgi Gabunia, chair of Parliament’s Culture Committee.

He called for a new political era to begin, stating he expects the Constitutional Court to uphold the challenge.

“These forces are controlled and funded from abroad. These people are trying to seize power by undemocratic means. This must come to an end. It is critically important that a new political life begins; enough of going round in a vicious circle. Enough of the attempted revolutions, the unrest and the hate speech with which they have constantly poisoned society. I expect the Constitutional Court to uphold the lawsuit. The United National Movement is a criminal regime. There is a wealth of legal evidence that the National Movement and its tentacles are an anti-constitutional, anti-state force that must be brought to an end in this country. This will bring a definitive end not only to the party’s operations in Georgia, but also to continued external interference. Foreign interference in domestic politics must stop,” Gabunia said.

He said Georgian Dream is a party to the legal proceedings.

“We must wait for the Constitutional Court’s ruling. We cannot accept the criticism we are hearing; it must be viewed as pressure on the legal process. Nobody has the right to make premature statements before the Constitutional Court delivers its final ruling. The National Movement was in power, and Bidzina Ivanishvili broke the back of its regime; they lost the elections. In opposition, they are engaged in anti-state actions. We have seen their attempts at revolution and civil unrest. Such actions are core to their agenda. These forces are aiming to usurp power undemocratically, guided by foreign handlers and sustained by foreign wealth. They are a hostile force,” Gabunia said.