“The United National Movement, and specifically this leader of theirs [Levan Khabeishvili], constantly strengthens Georgian Dream and pours water on their mill. Therefore, the organizer of October 4th would do better to look after his own responsibilities,” said Tata Khvedeliani, MP from the party For Georgia, speaking to journalists in response to statements made by UNM leader Levan Khabeishvili during his court hearing.

According to Khvedeliani, instead of making these “meaningless statements” from prison, the United National Movement should take responsibility for the entirety of October 4th.

She said that the “October 4th provocation was entirely planned within the ranks of Georgian Dream and carried out by members of the United National Movement.”

“It is in no way interesting what he says in this regard. They should address their own responsibility. They must acknowledge and take responsibility for every step they took that strengthened the Georgian Dream regime. They must especially take responsibility for the entire day of October 4th, instead of making these useless statements from prison.

The October 4th provocation was fully planned within the ranks of Georgian Dream and carried out by members of the United National Movement. They staged a provocation against the Georgian people, misled our citizens, and played with their sincere emotions. Accordingly, they must take responsibility. This October 4th brought the country into an even worse situation and resulted in even more political prisoners. In a country where there is no independent judiciary, any case may have political elements. But the main point here is that the United National Movement and its leaders are irresponsible because they refuse to acknowledge this grave wrongdoing before the Georgian people and have repeatedly evaded political responsibility,” Khvedeliani said.

For reference, during his court hearing, the Chairman of the UNM Political Council, Levan Khabeishvili, addressed opposition politicians:

“I don’t want to be in prison either — prison is very dangerous. But you must overcome fear within yourselves, because Georgia’s fate is being decided now. Open your ears! Come to your senses! Have the courage to come out instead of boasting on television about unity. Every day the situation gets worse. How do you sleep at night? — You go home at night and drink cappuccino?” Khabeishvili said.