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The News in Brief

Thursday, November 7, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff

Opposition Leaders Meet with Georgian President to Discuss Election Violations and International Inquiry

On November 6, 2024, leaders of Georgia's opposition parties met with President Salome Zourabicvhili to discuss ongoing electoral violations and the need for an international investigation into the October 26 parliamentary elections. Representatives from all four opposition parties that passed the electoral threshold attended the meeting.

Following the discussion, opposition leaders addressed the media, stating that their main focus was on the annulment of the election results and the necessity of an international inquiry into the alleged violations. Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, emphasized that the opposition's plans had not changed. "We are still fighting for the annulment of the election results," Gvaramia said, adding that the conversation centered on the current political situation and the opposition's stance.

Tina Bokuchava, leader of the Unity - National Movement, shared that President Zurabishvili had made it clear she would not cooperate with Ivanishvili's prosecutor's office. "The president openly stated that she does not intend to cooperate with them," Bokuchava explained, referring to the ongoing controversy surrounding the prosecutor's office.

Ana Dolidze, leader of Strong Georgia, stressed the importance of the international investigation and its diplomatic implications. "The EU is very interested in what is happening here," she said. Dolidze also noted that the current parliament remains largely unrecognized, with only a handful of countries acknowledging its legitimacy, further intensifying the opposition's calls for international intervention.

Dimitri Tskitishvili of Gakharia for Georgia stated that the president plays a unique role in conveying public sentiment to international partners and aligning local and global perspectives.



Giorgi Rurua Says He Was Not Questioned About Terrorism During Interrogation

Giorgi Rurua, the co-founder of the Mtavari Arkhi channel who was interrogated by a magistrate judge as part of the ongoing investigation into charges of terrorism and conspiracy, told the journalists that he was not asked any questions about terrorism.

Speaking to journalists afterward, Rurua described the interrogation as a "circus staged by the authorities" with no meaningful content. "It was an interrogation without content. I cannot comment further," he said, explaining that he had been made to sign a non-disclosure agreement.

When asked about inquiries into a potential plot to murder Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream, Rurua denied any such questions had been raised. "There was no question at all about that name," he stated.