The United National Movement (UNM) has condemned what it describes as “another classic act of political persecution” following the arrest of Irakli Okruashvili, demanding his immediate release.

The opposition party claimed that Georgian society is at a “decisive stage in the fight for freedom and democracy.”

“After yesterday’s shameful letter from the illegitimate so-called Prime Minister, which clearly shows the isolation of Ivanishvili’s group internationally, the regime has responded to the strict sanctions announced by the ‘MEGOBARI Act’ and the continuous struggle of Georgian society with a new wave of repression,” the statement reads.

The UNM went on to say that Okruashvili was detained by “Murusidze’s court” for “demonstratively refusing to participate in the “shameful, Russian pseudo-court process organized by Tea Tsulukiani and the regime of criminals and traitors.”

“We call for unity and tireless struggle for the final liberation of Georgia,” the statement concludes.