**Georgian Opposition Leader Nika Melia Detained, Lawyer Claims Fabricated Charges**
In a move that has sparked concerns about the ruling party’s tactics, Nika Melia, leader of the Georgian opposition party “Coalition for Change,” was detained by authorities on May 29. According to NewsGeorgia, Melia’s associates confirmed the detention.
Melia is being investigated for refusing to testify before a parliamentary committee probing former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s time in power. However, his lawyer, Georgy Kondakhashvili, claims that there are no legal grounds for Melia’s arrest and that the charges were likely fabricated to forcibly bring the opposition leader to the hearing he has boycotted.
The ruling “Georgian Dream” party has been tightening its grip on power in Georgia. In 2023 and 2024, mass protests erupted in response to moves by authorities that have isolated the country from the West. Many opposition figures have not recognized Georgia’s ruling party following disputed parliamentary elections in December 2024.
Melia’s detention comes just before he was scheduled to appear on a television show. According to Kondakhashvili, Melia was “kidnapped” by authorities and that they acted aggressively without explanation.
**Background: A Country Divided**
Georgia has been facing increased tensions between the ruling party and opposition forces in recent years. The country’s accession to the EU has been suspended due to the actions of the ruling authorities since the spring of 2024, the European Commission said in October.
The “Georgian Dream” party has passed a foreign agents law similar to Russia’s, which has raised concerns about the government’s intentions. Melia’s commission hearing was postponed from May 29 to May 30, but he has refused to attend the proceeding thus far.
**A Symbol of Resistance**
Melia’s refusal to pay a bail of 50,000 lari ($18,200) in late April has been seen as a symbol of his resistance against the ruling party. His detention now serves as another example of the government’s efforts to silence opposition voices.
As the situation in Georgia continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the international community will respond. The detention of Melia and other opposition figures highlights the need for continued support for independent journalism and the protection of democratic values.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
