Parliament Lifts Immunity from UNM’s Nika Melia

With 91 votes in favor, zero against, the Parliament of Georgia has lifted immunity from MP Nika Melia of the opposition United National Movement (UNM) at today’s plenary session.

“Today, I am free, but you should be feeling otherwise, staying in awkward obedience… I believe that I am on the right side of history and you are on the wrong side,” Melia said ahead of voting. 

The decision followed the Prosecutors Office’s request of June 25, charging him for inciting and heading mass violence on the night of 20-21 June on Rustaveli Avenue.

Investigation against Melia has been launched on charges of organization of, participation in and leading a group activity accompanied by violence under article 225 of Georgia’s Criminal Code.

Opposition assessments

Opposition lawmakers condemned the decision as “shameful.”

“Bidzina Ivanishvili’s team refused to discuss [Interior Minister Giorgi] Gakharia’s criminal and bloody decisions, instead trying to send their political opponent to jail,” Giga Bokeria of the European Georgia party said following the voting.

“Dictatorship has been formalized in Georgia. This Parliament, which voted to lift the immunity from Nika Melia, has lost its legitimacy,” Khatia Dekanoidze of the United National Movement said.

Read also: 

This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)