UNM’s Baramidze dismisses those who believe regime can be toppled without UNM as naïve and reckless

“The Georgian Dream failed to classify the October 4 rally as a ‘violent act.’ It was not a violent demonstration; we participated in a peaceful protest,” said Giorgi Baramidze, a member of the United National Movement (UNM) party.

According to Baramidze, the October 4 rally played its part in the broader process.

“We must continue our non-violent activities. The Georgian people do not need to see violence used against anyone, for the truth and the majority are on our side. The rally on October 4 contributed to the ongoing process. The GD propaganda tries to politically destroy the UNM, accusing us of attempting a coup. But where are the five cases filed against us on those charges?” he questioned.

Baramidze recalled a meeting with Paata Burchuladze, leader of the Rustaveli Avenue movement, at the party’s Political Council, and noted that Burchuladze did not speak about the plan for the October 4 rally.

“We asked questions, but Burchuladze said he would reveal the plan later, publicly announcing it. The advice was that if 30 people knew, the State Security Service would surely be aware. Only two people from the United National Movement, the chairman and the general secretary, might have known about this plan. It so happened that Paata Burchuladze did not disclose it.

We supported him, as he assured us the rally would be peaceful. He spoke extensively at the Political Council meeting, but not in detail. The Council has 120 members, and we suspected that some might have covert recording devices. We told him he couldn’t tell all 120 members, but at least two should have known. Unfortunately, he failed to do so. Therefore, we stand by the statements we made during the political council meeting. His words met all the criteria we find acceptable. If other groups organise similar rallies, we will participate,” Baramidze affirmed.

Giorgi Baramidze emphasised that the UNM would cooperate with all political forces holding a ‘healthy stance.’

“If anyone believes they can attack the UNM, as the GD has attempted for the past 14 years to dismantle the party, or thinks that the regime can be defeated without the UNM, they are naïve and reckless. They have no voters left; they are playing the GD’s game, similar to Lelo and Gakharia. They have lost supporters; some have refused to participate in elections.

We will work with all political forces that uphold a healthy stance. Those who claim they are fighting to defeat both the GD and the UNM are foolish. Anyone repeating this foolish idea in the future will realise that we need each other in this struggle, and we will build our relations with all political parties accordingly,” Baramidze concluded.