30 May 07:27
Georgian opposition leader arrested by police, escalating crackdown on dissent in the country
Emese Grancsa

International
Credit: Zurab Tsertsvadze / AP / Profimedia
Georgian police have arrested Nika Melia, leader of the Ahali party, amid a political crisis and accusations of authoritarianism against the Georgian Dream government. Melia, already under prosecution, is accused of insulting a law enforcement officer. His lawyer said the arrest was brutal and without explanation. It comes after another opposition leader, Zurab Japaridze, was also arrested. The opposition challenges the legitimacy of parliamentary investigations as politically motivated.
Sources

Lider al opoziției pro-europene din Georgia, arestat. Nika Melia este liderul partidului Ahali și riscă un an de închisoare

Nika Melia, figură marcantă a opoziției din Georgia, reținut de autorități

Lider al opoziției din Georgia, reținut: acuzații de „răpire” pe fondul represiunii împotriva dizidenței

Georgia: Police detain top opposition leader