Nika Melia, a Chair of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) party, echoed the statement made by Russian State Duma MP Sergei Gavrilov.

“Sergei Gavrilov, the distinctively aggressive representative of the Russian Duma, has issued a statement, supporting the Georgian Dream and describing the June 20 national protest as a coup d’etat. It is a direct prescription to the Georgian Dream to continue political repression, punish opposition members and participants of the June 20 events. Everything is clear. Occupier Gavrilov stands on one side and the protest of relentless Georgian people on the other. All Georgian Dream MPs should decide what side they are on – Gavrilov’s or the national dignity,” Nika Melia said.

UNM leader urged he has nothing to worry about because he feels the support of society. “It is an honor and perhaps fate to be among those who debunk the regime serving Gavrilov and his superiors,” Melia added.

Russian State Duma MP Sergei Gavrilov has commented on June 20, 2019, events on Monday. “Georgian ruling team does its best to prevent coups, repressions, and dictatorship in the country. We are ready to support the free choice of the Georgian people in favor of independence and sovereignty. The goal of opposition and coup participants is to complicate Georgia’s relations with its possible partners in economic, spiritual, and cultural spheres and to cut the country off from its friends. The lies told by Nika Melia proves that they are trying to stain Georgia’s image in the eyes of its neighbors,” Gavrilov said.