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, - Tina Bokuchava, the chairwoman of the United National Movement, told journalists.

According to Bokuchava, the government used the day of the Patriarch's funeral "for its own propaganda."

"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. I think many Orthodox were very upset by the hypocrisy that we saw on the part of the regime's representatives.

I would like it to be possible to unite the nation in such days, and we expressed every readiness for this. Among them, President Mikheil Saakashvili requested to attend the funeral ceremony as the godfather of his son and his friend. Also, the person with whom he governed this country for 9 years as the leader of the secular government. Unfortunately, he was not given the opportunity. I was not given the opportunity either, although I had the desire to be in the temple on behalf of the United National Movement on this most important day. Despite the Patriarchate's willingness to do so, unfortunately, the so-called State Commission was against it, which once again confirms that the members of the regime, the so-called government, did not use this day for the unification of the nation,” Bokuchava said.