In Georgia, a notable disruption unfolded in the national parliament when members from the opposition United National Movement walked out of the plenary chamber after the Minister of Justice, Rati Bregadze, arrived to deliver remarks. The incident drew coverage from News-Georgia, highlighting a moment of political tension in the country.
Images circulating on social media and in press coverage showed deputies and supporters near the Vivamed clinic where former president Mikheil Saakashvili is reportedly receiving care. Supporters displayed banners and posters with messages such as Do not kill, drawing attention to concerns over Saakashvili’s health. There were also reported attempts to restrict the broadcast of video footage showing Saakashvili’s room, which critics described as a breach of transparency and accountability.
Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, publicly characterized the opposition’s actions as speculative and aimed at stirring discourse about Saakashvili’s medical condition. He emphasized that the parliament’s business should continue and that health updates should come through appropriate official channels rather than as a topic of partisan discussion.
During the session, Justice Minister Rati Bregadze described the deputies’ conduct as a miserable and humiliating display. His remarks underscored the fault lines between government officials and opposition members, reflecting broader debates over political strategy and parliamentary procedure in Georgia.
The preceding day witnessed a wave of hunger strikes among several MPs, signaling heightened tension and a demand for Saakashvili’s transfer to an international medical facility for treatment. The protest underscored ongoing concerns about Saakashvili’s care and the stipulations governing his custody and medical access within the country’s legal framework.
Shalva Khachapuridze, a former lawyer for Mikheil Saakashvili, issued a statement asserting that he would pursue legal action against Rati Bregadze and the head of the Special Prison Service. The basis of the lawsuit, according to Khachapuridze, centers on the alleged distribution of security camera footage from Saakashvili’s ward without proper authorization, a move he frames as a breach of privacy and legal protocol. The assertion raises questions about the balance between public transparency and individual rights during high-profile political cases, and it invites scrutiny of how footage from secure facilities is shared in the public domain. (Source attribution: News-Georgia, corroborated by multiple outlets)