UNM Chair Accuses Georgian Dream of Blocking Opposition from Patriarch's Funeral
By Messenger Staff
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
United National Movement Chair Tina Bokuchava has accused the Georgian Dream government of blocking the opposition from participating in the funeral of Patriarch Ilia II. Speaking to journalists, Bokuchava stated that despite the Patriarchate's willingness to include her, the State Commission organizing the event prevented her from representing the UNM at the ceremony.
Bokuchava claimed the government used the day for political gain rather than national unity. "I wanted to be represented in the church on this most important day on behalf of the United National Movement, and despite the Patriarchate's willingness to do so, unfortunately, the so-called State Commission was against it," she said.
Bokuchava also addressed the exclusion of imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who had requested to attend as a friend of the Patriarch and the godfather of his son. Bokuchava noted that the refusal to allow the former head of state to pay his respects was a missed chance to unite the country.
"Such difficult days as the Georgian nation and all Orthodox Christians in our country, and not only in our country, have gone through in the last few days should be a chance to unite society as much as possible. Unfortunately for me, the Ivanishvili regime used even these difficult days for its own propaganda, to score points," Bokuchava stated.
The Special Penitentiary Service denied Saakashvili's request, stating it did not comply with legal codes for prisoner release. Bokuchava concluded that the actions of the State Commission confirm that the members of the regime did not use this day for the unification of the nation.
