Regarding the freezing of funds, the government's decision is not a legal one but a political one, aimed at weakening and dismantling the protest movement. Ivanishvili's regime is at a critical juncture — either it will collapse or survive, and the outcome depends on us, said Lasha Farulava, a member of the "Unity - National Movement" in an interview with PalitraNews, commenting on the freezing of several funds, including "Nanuka's Fund."
According to Farulava, the country is undergoing a "red terror," and the freezing of funds, which helped people pay fines, is a clear example of this.
"The repressions in the country have been ongoing for a long time, and the complaints of Nana Kakabadze and Vato Shakarashvili serve this purpose. We see the 'red terror' every day — political prisoners locked in prison, hundreds of people fined, and this continues systematically. With all of this, Ivanishvili is telling us that the protests on Rustaveli Avenue are very difficult for him and his task is to break up the protest movement. The opposition is united on two issues — new elections without the 'Russian regime' and the release of political prisoners. If there is no transparent electoral process, discussions about Kaladashvili, Javakhishvili, and CEC responsibility are baseless. An impartial electoral administration and public sector are required. This is the network of 'Georgian Dream,' and our task is to dismantle this network.
The only legitimate person in the country for the international community is Salome Zourabishvili. The reality in the country is grave, which impacts the economy and damages our long-term development opportunities. If we want to end the Russian regime, we need to act united, not just rhetorically. The students have shown us their struggle, but now it is up to politicians to show the people what we are capable of," Farulava said.
Farulava also responded to the statements by members of "Gakharia - For Georgia" in relation to the "United National Movement" and Georgia's third president Mikheil Saakashvili. He stated that when Gakharia talks about Saakashvili, he should "wash his mouth out."
"The National Movement is an idea, the construction of Georgia, and for years we have been fighting for the democratic development of Georgia. Now new political forces have emerged and are trying to prove their opposition while, instead of fighting the government, regime, and oligarchy, they are fighting the 'National Movement,' thus undermining the protest momentum.
When Gakharia talks about Saakashvili, he should wash his mouth out. This is a person whose time as prime minister saw high-ranking Russian intelligence officials like Aleksandr Bortnikov entering the country and holding meetings. Did anyone forget the 2018 election and what happened in Zugdidi, where they demanded obedience from teachers and principals, and a specific individual lost their life?" Farulava stated.
Regarding recent criticism of Salome Zourabishvili by the "United National Movement," Farulava emphasized that although Zourabishvili is the only legitimate person in the country, she made both a legal and political mistake by not pardoning Mikheil Saakashvili.
"Salome Zourabishvili is the only legitimate person, but when we talk about political prisoners, we should not forget that she made both a legal and political mistake by not pardoning Mikheil Saakashvili, the man who first raised the EU flag and conducted democratic elections in the Caucasus region, peacefully handing over power. His imprisonment is a political retaliation by the Kremlin.
On March 31, at the rally announced by Salome Zourabishvili, the 'National Movement' will be represented most widely," Farulava concluded.