UNM’s Sanikidze denies abandoning Nadiradze and Zodelava: I felt they were no longer on Rustaveli

16:57, 06.10.2025

“I will not accept the claim that I abandoned Irakli Nadiradze and Murtaz Zodelava,” stated Levan Sanikidze, a member of the United National Movement opposition party.

When questioned about why members of the United National Movement (UNM) were not with Irakli Nadiradze and Murtaz Zodelava, and whether they had distanced themselves from the events, Sanikidze explained:

“I am certain that government cameras have been tracking me for five hours, observing my movements and whereabouts. Ultimately, I saw through your footage that Irakli Nadiradze and Murtaz Zodelava were on Rustaveli Avenue. As I suspected, I thought Paata Manjgaladze had already gone home, and I had the same feeling that those individuals were no longer on Rustaveli. Everyone is well aware of what was happening in the chats, and I refuse to be blamed for leaving Irakli Nadiradze and Murtaz Zodelava behind. If I had known they were still there, I would have stayed,” Sanikidze asserted.

The journalist presented Sanikidze with footage and asked him to comment: “In this footage, Murtaz Zodelava and Irakli Nadiradze are facing the special forces; they appear to be trying to communicate, and then the situation becomes tense. There are only three people with them, none of whom are members of the United National Movement.”

To this, Sanikidze responded: “I was unaware of this plan. For example, just five minutes after this footage was taken, I was at Orbeliani Square. I believe I was among the first to see Irakli Nadiradze, and I poured saline solution into his face; he had already been sprayed with pepper spray.”

By - Svetlana Alimova

Politics

United National Movement (UNM)

UNM's Levan Sanikidze

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