United National Movement’s statement renewed accusations of following foreign-driven agendas

The admission by the opposition United National Movement (UNM) - that the party operates based on externally received instructions - was once again confirmed on Monday. UNM is initiating a constitutional lawsuit at the request of international partners.

Speaking at a press briefing, Levan Bezhashvili, a member of the United National Movement, said that the party was filing the constitutional lawsuit at the request of international partners and on the advice of legal experts.

He highlighted that the main argument was that Georgian Dream was attempting to suppress dissenting opinions, adding that the lawsuit will proceed in three stages: the first challenges the findings of a parliamentary investigative commission; the second contests laws passed by Parliament; and the third addresses Georgian Dream’s own lawsuit seeking to ban UNM.

“Following the requests of our international partners and the legal community, we are initiating constitutional proceedings. At the first stage, a lawsuit has already been filed challenging the investigative commission’s conclusions. The second stage will contest the constitutionality of legislation that effectively undermines opposition parties, with filings planned later this week. The third stage concerns Georgian Dream’s own lawsuit”, Bezhashvili concluded.