Mikheil Saakashvili has been awarded the Sjur Lindebrekke Prize🇳🇴
"
@SaakashviliM
represents democratic forces. Support for him is support for demecracy in Europe... also a statement of support for the many who are monitored, oppressed & persecuted."
#Hoyre
On Feb 20, at the intiative of
@FeyginMark4
& as part of global action in support of
@SaakashviliM
, Georgians, Ukrainians & other nat's rallied across Europe & US to demand ex-President's release & save his life threatened in captivity of Russian oligarch Ivanishvili
#SaveMisha
Thousands gathered at Tbilisi City Court today in solidarity with politically persecuted ex-Pres
@SaakashviliM
who was denied by Ivanishvili's authoritarian regime the right to attend his own trial in gross violation of 🇬🇪 Constitution & the European Convention on Human Rights
‼️ Our central office in Tbilisi is currently under siege by what seems to be pro-government mobs. Rocks are being thrown at windows. There are attempts to enter the building.
President
@SaakashviliM
's first appearance in Tbilisi Court today after 50 days of hunger strike: "My life in prison was saved by PD of 🇬🇪, the medical council but first & foremost by the people. People are the main power & people should not give up fighting for their future."
Pres
@SaakashviliM
's son Eduard addresses GD supporters: I sincerely want the time to come when society together objectively in a balanced way will evaluate the past but what is happening now has gone beyond even political justice & turned into a very dangerous & ugly retribution
Pres
@SaakashviliM
collapsed during the meeting with lawyers and remained unconscious while stretchered off supposedly to a prison medical unit. His condition is unknown. GD still refuses to transfer him to a civilian hospital.
Thousands marched through the streets of Tbilisi in protest against the inhuman and degrading treatment of hunger striking ex-Pres
@SaakashviliM
deprived by 🇬🇪 authoritarian regime of healthcare & fair trial. Don't kill!
#FreeMisha
Photos:
@RFERL
@TvPirveli
Thousands gathered at the rally in Tbilisi in solidarity with
@SaakashviliM
and to protest against the political persecution of the 3rd President of Georgia
#FreeMisha
On 18th anniversary of the Rose Revolution🌹a human chain was formed in Tbilisi to commemorate the achievements that transformed 🇬🇪 & set on its path to European & Euro-Atlantic integration. Today, our freedom, democracy & 🇪🇺 future are at stake.
#FreeMisha
🇬🇪
🎥
@RTavisupleba
Public Defender's Expert Group assessment of
@SaakashviliM
's Medical Condition
"Continuation of medications alone, under similar conditions, will be ineffective & will lead to aggravation of his condition, which may lead to irreversible consequences."
We welcome the proposal brought up today by President
@Zourabichvili_S
to form a common vision for pro-Western parties on the reforms necessary for our European integration.
We join the Georgian Charter initiated by the President.
Ex-President
@SaakashviliM
's mother Giuli Alasania appeals to the international community: "My only son is being slowly killed in front of my eyes. Let us all together save his life."
UNM expresses its unconditional support for
#Georgia
's strategic partner & friendly country
#Ukraine
in the fight for freedom. 🇬🇪 and 🇺🇦 are facing common challenges. De-occupation and freedom are our common struggle.
#StandWithUkraine
Full statement👇
Against numerous calls by doctors, Ombudsman, human rights organizations, hungerstriking Pres
@SaakashviliM
was forcefully taken by the authorities to penitentiary hospital subjecting him to various threats to his health & physical safety in violation of fundamental human rights
Putin started the Russian-Georgian war because he could never win the peace.
But just as Putin couldn’t win the peace, he cannot win the war.
The only solution is military victory for 🇺🇦.
Any type of appeasement would invite a global catastrophe.
“We're not asking to feed Misha, or any political demands, we're just asking to not kill the 3rd Pres of🇬🇪& give him proper treatment, which is provided to any other prisoner in this country,”
@Helenkhosh
,
@MovementDroa
Chair, on hunger strike for 13 days.
Today, we mark 100 years since the
#Constitution
, one of the most progressive documents of that time, was adopted by the Democratic Republic of
#Georgia
. The short-lived independence was ended in 1921 by invasion of Russian Red Army and the
#Sovietoccupation
of Georgia 🇬🇪
On day 36 of hunger strike,
@SaakashviliM
's health condition is close to critical. 🇬🇪 gov still refuses to transfer the ex-President to a civil hospital despite multiple calls by doctors, Ombudsman, State Inspector's Office & civil society on urgent need for adequate medical help
All across Georgia, we’re gathering hundreds of thousands of petition signatures to call for the release of Mikheil Saakashvili.
You can join us by going on
"Either GE 🇬🇪goes in LTU 🇱🇹 way or it turns into Belarus. When we were entering EU and NATO, left and right always worked together. We never imprisoned anyone. If repressions and conflicts continue, Georgia's chances will be killed"
@ZygisPavilionis
after meeting w/
@NikaMelia5
75 years of NATO making Europe and the world a more stable and peaceful place for the next generations to live in prosperity.
Ever since our foundation, UNM has advocated for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration. And we will always do so.
#StrongerTogether
#1NATO75years
@SwedenNato
@gustafgothberg
Our most sincere congratulations to the people of Sweden.
The day will come when the flags of Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Georgia 🇬🇪 will join yours!
Today,
@UNMGeorgia
's Political Council decided to take the party's elected seats in the 🇬🇪 parliament to work for free and fair elections, much-needed electoral and judicial reforms and policies that keep Georgia on a path toward European & Euro-Atlantic integration.
"The West needs to step in and do so quickly. It should sanction those responsible for [
@SaakashviliM
's] mistreatment and target in particular Ivanishvili, who has caused damage to Georgian democracy that may take generations to rebuild."
10 MPs from UNM/Strength in Unity started hunger strike today in 🇬🇪 Parl demanding the transfer of
@SaakashviliM
to civil hospital. Authorities still deny ex-Pres the possibility to end hunger strike, keep him in critical health condition in prison hospital w/t any med treatment
15 y/a, 🇷🇺regular army crossed the intl'y recognized border & launched its full-scale military aggression a/st 🇬🇪. 20% of🇬🇪remain under🇷🇺occupation. 🇬🇪's sovereignty was saved thanks to 🇬🇪 soldiers' heroic resistance & the support of 🇬🇪's intl friends.
Glory to the heroes!
Up to ten gunshots were fired today at
@NikaMelia5
's banner on
@UNMGeorgia
headquarters from a vehicle moving on a highway. Shooting was caught on UNM outdoor CCTV cameras. The incident was immediately reported to police. We hope for a proper investigation into the case.
Georgian cameraman of
@TvPirveli
, who had been beaten in government-sanctioned violence by far-right, pro-Russian groups on Monday, has died today. Freedom of media, human rights, statehood and democracy are under attack. We must speak up! Do not let the Russian scenario unfold!
Nick Melia has been elected as a new Chairman of
@UNMGeorgia
through an innovative platform of online voting. The new practice of online voting will contribute to ensuring broad public inclusion in the party decision-making process and enhancing internal party democracy.
Sweden joining NATO makes Northern Europe safer, the Transatlantic family stronger, and the free world more united against today's challenges.
Our sincere congratulations to our partners at
@moderaterna
and
@kdriks
on this historical new page.
Ukraine and Georgia are up next!
Creative director of
#Balenciaga
fashion house, Demna Gvasalia called for the release of
@SaakashviliM
.
Thousands of Georgian's are signing the petition that demands
@SaakashviliM
's release.
As we feared, early this morning the Georgian government authorized a raid on the headquarters of the United National Movement, the main opposition party, to arrest its chairman, Nika Melia, on politically motivated charges. The use of force by the government included hundreds of
On April 9, 1989, thousands of Georgians demanding the country's independence from USSR were brutally crushed by Soviet troops killing 21 persons, leaving hundreds injured or poisoned by gas. Same day in 1991, Georgia restored its independence after 70 years of Soviet occupation.
JOINT STATEMENT BY PRO-WESTERN, DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL PARTIES
We appreciate the steadfast and effective efforts of the United States in protecting the Constitution, the sovereignty, and the liberty of Georgia, as well as the European and Euro-Atlantic future of our nation 🧵
Mikheil Saakashvili has been unequivocally endorsed by the UNM Political Council and the opposition coalition ''Strength in Unity'' for the Prime Minister
#SaakashviliforPrimeMinister
#Elections2020
Yesterday was not a normal day for Georgia
The arrest of analyst Ucha Abashidze by the Ivanishvili regime, attempts to intimidate TV Pirveli’s journalists, staff and guests, assaults on opposition politicians, violent arrests in Tbilisi are all part of a terror campaign…
The man who proved post-Soviet democracy possible, lies near death in a 🇬🇪prison... Georgia’s current government risks having a political prisoner die at its hands.
Our joint statement with other pro-European political parties against the renewed Foreign Agent Law.
"Change must be a priority for all of us, a change that will bring multi-partisan, democratic governance and will be a guarantee of Georgia's return to the European family."
"If Europe and the U.S. are satisfied with releasing
@NikaMelia5
from prison, but say nothing about abuses in the October election, then the regime essentially has an incentive to take more hostages."
ჩვენი მიზანია, ახალ თაობაზე და მათ ჯანსაღ განვითარებაზე ორიენტირებული სახელმწიფოს შექმნა.
ამისთვის აუცილებელია სახელმწიფოს მხრიდან ისეთი ფუნდამენტური ნაბიჯის გადადგმა, როგორიცაა საჯარო სკოლებში უფასო სასკოლო კვების პროგრამის დანერგვა.
Georgia was once the most exciting and innovative economy in this huge region.
We can do it again. All it takes is will.
And we can start by making Georgia a global IT hub by making the entire IT sector completely tax-free.
UNM was the first party in Georgia to support Georgia’s European integration.
Now, we’re the first party to deepen its integration in the European political family.
UNM is officially an Associate Member of the
@EPP
! 🇬🇪🇪🇺
The fate of the next generation will be decided in this year’s election.
It is not a normal election. We have to fight against an unprecedented political machine that wants to cement its years-long anti-Western rhetoric and formalize a sharp turn towards Russia. 🧵
"This is a non-violent protest, tough move, we have no other choice but to put pressure on the regime so that it loosens its grip on🇬🇪state it has captured,"
@NikaMelia5
🇬🇪s "long-time dream& historic aspiration of🇪🇺 integr'n is under threat",
@SaakashviliM
You’ve made us live through this for 12 years. But your time is over. 146 days until the Georgian people delivers you a historical defeat.
We won’t back down. European values won’t back down. Freedom never backs down.
Pres
@SaakashviliM
's Appeal to the Intl Comm:
I urge my friends all around the world who care abt freedom to raise their voices against lawlessness & emergence of Putin-style practices in🇬🇪, a country where people fight for democracy & which was once hailed as a beacon of freedom
UNM leader Nick Melia voices the public demand to Ivanishvili to dismiss the Head of CEC and negotiate with opposition leaders on holding the repeat elections with new electoral administration
14 years ago today, the Smolensk Tragedy cost the lives of President Lech Kaczyński, his wife Maria, and dozens more.
Lech and Maria were passionate friends of Georgia. They were dedicated to helping us on our path to freedom and Europe.
We will always remember them.
🇵🇱🇬🇪
#FreeMisha
rally in Batumi, where the UNM and opposition unified mayoral candidate Giorgi Kirtadze is leading after the first round of elections and will compete in October 30th runoff
#NoToRussianLaw
!
Today, the Georgian people stands united against this flagrant attempt to derail Georgia’s European path.
Both in Parliament and outside, we will fight against this bill and for our European future.
🇬🇪🇪🇺
Georgian Dream decided to keep
@NikaMelia5
in prison as an instrument for bargaining against the opposition and deepen the political crisis. Once again, Prosecutor's Office and Court proved their full subordination to political decisions and oligarchic rule.
FM
@radeksikorski
calls on Pres. Zurabishvili at
@MunSecConf
to release
@SaakashviliM
: "To many of us, he is a symbol of modernization of Georgia... It’s very important that he be treated fairly and you could contribute to his release. Those who wish 🇬🇪 well would welcome it.”
Today is
#WorldAutismAwarenessDay
and a chance to remember our commitment for a fully-inclusive society, from early education to the workplace, in cities and villages - for all.
UNM Chair
@NikaMelia5
is released from prison on bail posted by the EU. Melia was held in pre-trial detention on pol motivated charges for 2 months+. We thank 🇪🇺&🇺🇸for their continued engagement w/🇬🇪 during the pol crisis, and for serving as a beacon for 🇬🇪 Western aspirations.
United opposition "Strength in Unity" presidential candidate Gregory Vashadze met with Wess Mitchell, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. US-Georgia relations, Georgia's Euro-Atlantic aspirations, GE's domestic and regional challenges were discussed
🇬🇪🇺🇦 ქართველ ხალხს, საქართველოს და უკრაინის ყველა მოქალაქეს, ვულოცავთ მიხეილ სააკაშვილის დანიშვნას უმნიშვნელოვანეს პოზიციაზე უკრაინაში. ეს არის მიხეილ სააკაშვილის და მისი გუნდის მიერ საქართველოში გატარებული წარმატებული რეფორმების კიდევ ერთი აღიარება💬
მიხეილ სააკაშვილი "მზად ვარ საბოლოო დათმობაზეც წავიდე და თუ ავიაკომპანიას თანხმობას მისცემენ, დავთანხმდე გახარიას პირობას და მთავრობის ფონდში გადავარიცხინო საჭირო თანხა. მეტი რაღა ვქნა რათა ჩვენ ხალხს დავეხმარო..."
@UNMGeorgia
Chair
@NikaMelia5
has been arrested this morning in a police raid of the party HQ involving hundreds of patrol police and special forces. Pepper spray was used against the opposition leaders and supporters
On top of physical and psychological pressure, fearing ex-President's public appearance, 🇬🇪 gov deprived
@SaakashviliM
of his right to appear before the court and refused his transfer to Tbilisi City Court to attend his own trial scheduled for today. Unprecedented for Georgia.
@UNMGeorgia
Chair
@NikaMelia5
has been arrested this morning in a police raid of the party HQ involving hundreds of patrol police and special forces. Pepper spray was used against the opposition leaders and supporters
Opinion by
@SaakashviliM
written in prison shortly before he collapsed on 49th day of hunger strike.
"Now, the Georgian people need active backing of their democratic and pro-Western aspirations against the threat of authoritarianism."
Ex-Pres
@SaakashviliM
has been refused again by the Penitentiary Service/Ministry of Justice to attend his own trial at Tbilisi City Court today, depriving him of his right to defence and a fair trial, in violation of 🇬🇪 Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights