“On May 26, we plan to take the protest to a new level. This involves once again rallying large numbers of people to demonstrate against the regime,” declared Nika Gvaramia, one of the leaders of the Opposition Alliance.

He also called upon the authorities to refrain from any provocation or incident.

“Tomorrow is May 26, a day of immense significance in Georgian history. We believe that on this day, each of us has a particular motivation to gather and express our attitude towards the events unfolding in the country. The rally has been announced for two months, and the Opposition Alliance has been working on it throughout. Two days ago, Tbilisi City Hall informed us that Rustaveli Avenue would be closed and that holding a rally there was, in their view, inadvisable. They also refused permission for the delivery of equipment such as screens and sound systems. The same response came from the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Yesterday, information emerged that Rustaveli would be empty beyond Chanturia Street, that nothing would be there. It is precisely that stretch of road we are requesting, the very one that the Ministry of Internal Affairs itself declared would be closed off and empty. That territory belongs to the citizens; it is the place for expressing protest in Tbilisi. Historically, Rustaveli Avenue is exactly where protests take place. On May 26, we plan to take the protest to a new level. This involves once again rallying large numbers of people against the regime. Our position is unequivocal; we are not changing the planned route, which has been known to the authorities and to the public for two months.

Even though someone has decided, out of fear or for reasons best known to themselves, to force the citizens of Georgia and us to change our plans, those plans will not be changed. Our demands are grounded in the Constitution, and we will exercise our rights in full. Regarding the unconstitutional decisions and restrictions imposed by the Ivanishvili regime, we have no intention of submitting to measures that contradict the rule of law and Georgia’s national interests.

Tomorrow, at 19:00, we gather at the First Building of the Tbilisi State University, after which we march to Rustaveli. Before that, we will do everything in our power to bring in our equipment, erect the stage, set up the screens, and hold a proper rally, which is our right. I call upon the authorities to refrain from any incident whatsoever.

A high-ranking delegation from the United States of America is present here; the opposition is holding meetings with them, as is the self-proclaimed government, and events are being watched under a magnifying glass both inside and outside Georgia. Let everyone refrain from unlawful actions; there are consequences for every act of lawlessness. Let everyone refrain from any form of escalation. Our protest is peaceful and grounded in constitutional rights,” Nika Gvaramia declared.

Gvaramia was also asked about the Opposition Alliance’s future plans.

“Our plans depend significantly on whether we can install the technical equipment. We will do everything possible to exercise our constitutional right; however, there are circumstances in which there may be no way out. Therefore, we will not cancel the rally; however, during the event, we will make decisions whose implementation will start the day after. There will be more than one such decision, and they will not concern only political and anti-regime matters; I am also referring to social issues. Our activities are moving into a different organisational framework, and even before coming to power, we intend to achieve certain results and bring some relief to the people,” Nika Gvaramia stated.