Tina Bokuchava, the United National Movement Chair, has reported Ani Tsitlidze, a member of parliament representing the National Movement, along with members of the party’s youth organization, were subjected to a violent assault that allegedly occurred during a pre-election campaign meeting with voters in Zugdidi.

Bokuchava asserts that Teona Kardava, an employee of the Georgian Dream party, actively participated in the attack. She further alleges that instructions for the assault were issued by Gia Salia, a member of Georgian Dream, Tazo Patsatsia, a member of the local council, and an individual associated with them, Dima Gogokhia.

“I feel compelled to address yesterday’s attack on members of the United National Movement in Zugdidi, which was orchestrated by Otar Kodua, the father of Georgian Dream delegate Dato Kodua,” Bokuchava stated.

“Georgian Dream members physically accosted Ani Tsitlidze, UNM MP, as well as members of the party’s youth organization. Teona Kardava, a Georgian Dream employee known for her past aggressive actions against the opposition and involvement in the ransacking of our office, participated in the assault. Instructions were issued by Gia Salia, a Georgian Dream member, Tazo Patsatsia, a GD Council member, and their associate, Dima Gogokhia. Eyewitnesses claim that the assailants appeared to be under the influence of narcotics.
The UNM members were attacked while engaging with citizens as part of their pre-election campaign in Zugdidi, distributing ‘European Union passports for Georgia’ which outline the specific benefits Georgian citizens will receive following a change in government. This occurs at a time when Georgia faces the threat of losing its visa-free travel privileges if the GD remains in power,” she elaborated.

Bokuchava contends that a political force that has held power for 12 years and now promises to destroy the opposition as its main pre-election pledge, demands apologies to the enemy, and physically assaults opposition members, including women, is already defeated.

“Ivanishvili’s defeat in the historic elections on October 26 is inevitable,” she declared.

“Simultaneously, national consolidation within society and across the political spectrum is crucial. We must respond to Ivanishvili’s attempts to divide and pit Georgians against each other through violence and constant propagation of hatred with unity and reconciliation of our country,” Bokuchava emphasized.

“As the chairperson of the UNM, I wholeheartedly welcome and endorse yesterday’s call for unity from our party’s founder and honorary chairman, President Mikheil Saakashvili. The doors of the United National Movement and our coalition partners are open to the Ahali party and their coalition partners. We are ready to actualize President Saakashvili’s call for unity, as we deeply believe in the words he personally added to Georgia’s national coat of arms – ‘Strength in Unity’. Indeed, strength is in unity. Strength is in Europe. I am confident the Georgian people will choose prosperity in Europe on October 26, in this historic election,” she concluded.