“The legal persecution that has begun against representatives of the opposition, together with the banning of political parties, is an attempt at the absolute destruction of the opposition,” said Salome Samadashvili, one of the leaders of "Strong Georgia–Lelo".

Speaking on PalitraNews’ program “360 Degrees,” Samadashvili stated that an exact replica of the Russian political system is being established in Georgia.

“I can only laugh bitterly and ironically when I hear different people opposing the regime say, ‘Now Ivanishvili is banning political parties, and there will be a chance to create something new.’ I think these people either don’t perceive reality or live in a parallel world.

Those who believe that Ivanishvili will simply get rid of the current opposition — banning parties, driving them into corners or into exile through legal persecution — and that somehow, from this, a new democratic opposition will blossom, are prisoners of illusion.

People need to hear the truth — and the truth is very harsh. People must know the danger they face in order to find a way out. What is happening now is the complete destruction of the democratic system.

The legal persecution that has begun against opposition representatives, together with the banning of political parties, is an attempt at the total annihilation of the opposition, so that any discussion of political pluralism or political change in the country is brought to an end.

What we are witnessing is the creation of an absolute analogue of the Russian political system, and I believe that what is happening to the opposition today should be viewed through this lens,” Samadashvili said.