Georgian Parliament Speaker: October 4 provided enough evidence to seek UNM’s declaration as unconstitutional

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday said that the October 4 developments once again provided a wealth of evidence to justify appealing to the Constitutional Court to declare the opposition United National Movement party unconstitutional.

In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that external actors also realised that, following the attempted coup on October 4, even more evidence emerged against the United National Movement - “which explains their silence on the matter”.

“We witnessed great hysteria from the UNM’s patrons before, but October 4 once again gave us a wealth of evidence to bring this case to the Constitutional Court. We viewed the failed coup not only from the perspective of restoring law and order but also examined every detail of the process with our legal team. It became another piece of evidence proving that the United National Movement is an extremist force undermining Georgian democracy and the state through unconstitutional actions”, the Speaker said.

“Foreign actors remain silent because they understand that new evidence has been created to support the case against the National Movement, and they themselves are implicated as co-participants in this coup attempt. That is why they are silent - to avoid openly defending the National Movement”, he continued.

The Speaker added that the ruling Georgian Dream party would soon file a lawsuit with the Constitutional Court.

“As for the appeal itself, we will address the Constitutional Court in the near future. I believe we have very strong arguments to demand the declaration of the United National Movement - along with other groups operating under its brand - as unconstitutional”, Papuashvili concluded.

On October 4, large-scale protests in Tbilisi escalated into a dramatic confrontation, as a group of radical demonstrators tried to storm the presidential palace. The unrest occurred on the same day Georgia held municipal elections.

Authorities detained at least five opposition figures, including Paata Burchuladze. They are now facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government - a potential offense that could carry lengthy prison sentences.

Government officials described the events as a failed coup attempt orchestrated with foreign backing. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the protests “an attempted overthrow of the constitutional order”.