Authorities Downplay Opposition’s Demands

The opposition’s attempts to create “illusion of pre-revolutionary atmosphere” are doomed to a failure, as the Georgian government stands firm on its course, key governmental figures said at a joint news conference on July 7.

Giorgi Arveladze, Chief of the President’s Administration; Giga Bokeria, an influential MP from the ruling party and MP Maia Nadiradze leader of the parliamentary majority ruled out possibility of Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili’s resignation, as demanded by the opposition.

“We are now witnessing one more unsuccessful attempt [of the opposition] to stir political tensions in the country… This group of people is ready to use any kind of pretext for this purpose,” Giorgi Arveladze said.

“Their [oppositions’] attempts are doomed to failure, as they lack public support,” he added.

He said that the government is “watching very calmly” to the recent developments and “is very firm on its way to accomplish major goals the country is facing” – restoration of the territorial integrity.

The opposition parties, as well as some human right groups have mounted pressure on the authorities recently over the Sandro Girgvliani murder case demanding punishment of those former top-level officials of the Interior Ministry who are allegedly behind this murder case.

MP Giga Bokeria said that “very small protest rallies” staged by the opposition parties will not yield any results.

Arveladze also downplayed demands for Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili’s resignation.

“It is better to look through some of the statistics showing that the crime rate has significantly decreased in the country, rather than to demand the Interior Minister’s resignation,” he said.

MP Giga Bokeria also said that a trail over Girgvliani murder case ended with its natural outcome and no other verdict from the judge was expected.

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