Rally 'Arrest the Russian agent Partskhaladze' held near the Parliament

“Arrest the Russian agent Otar Partskhaladze!” – with this demand, civil activists and representatives of various opposition parties held a rally near the back entrance of the Parliament of Georgia.

At the same time, the speech of the Minister of Internal Affairs Vakhtang Gomelauri was heard in the legislative body in the “Minister’s Hour” format.

The participants of the rally held out banners with the inscriptions “Gomelauri, Russian Dream – FSB spy”, “Article 314 of the Criminal Code, espionage is punishable by imprisonment from 8 to 12 years.”

In addition, the activists played a voice appeal – “Russian agents, please disband, otherwise international sanctions will be applied to you.”

A stand has been set up near the Parliament, where the photos of the acting President of the NBG, Natia Turnava, former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, judges – Irakli Shengelia and Levan Murusidze, as well as the photo of the former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze were posted. The sneakers are also hanging on the stand.

The entrance from the back of the Parliament was blocked by the police. Law enforcement officers were stationed on the entire perimeter.

GD Faction Chair Mamuka Mdinaradze says Droa’s Khoshtaria leads No to Russian agents rally behind Parliament.

Elene Khoshtaria, the leader of the opposition Droa party, leads the rally behind the Parliament building titled “No to Russian Agents,” he remarked, hinting to last year’s report in Georgian media that “substantial funds” originating in Russia, involving “several million rubles and tens of thousands of US dollars” have been wired from the Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow and the Russian federal budget to Khoshtaria’s family member.

For the record, last week, the US Department of State announced the designation of over 150 individuals and entities in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, including Otar Partskhaladze.

On 14 September 2023, the United States sanctioned Partskhaladze for “operating or having operated in the management consulting sector of the Russian Federation economy.” According to the US State Department, Partskhaladze “worked with the Russian Federal Security Service to influence Georgian politics and society to benefit Russia.

Image: IPN