Opposition threatens "Georgian Dream" Party with large-scale protests

The largest oppositional party in Georgia, the "United National Movement" (UNM) Party, has announced a large-scale rally in Tbilisi and protests in the regions demanding to release Mikheil (Mikhail) Saakashvili and hold early parliamentary elections.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Saakashvili returned to his homeland on October 1 and was detained. On October 4, his supporters held a rally near the prison in Rustavi. The release of the third country's president is possible after the opposition's victory in the second round of elections, Nika Meliya, the candidate for Tbilisi Mayor from the UNM, has stated.

Saakashvili was arrested since he had been sentenced in absentia to three years in prison under the case of abuse of power when pardoning those convicted for killing the businessman, Sandro Girgvliani, and to six years – under the case of beating up in 2005 Valery Gelashvili, an MP.

The UNM is getting ready for the second round of elections and intends to hold large-scale actions on the eve thereof, the "Georgia Online" reports with reference to Levan Khabeishvili, the UNM leader.

At the request of the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO), Saakashvili was deprived of the right to make phone calls, including to his family members, the "News-Georgia" reports.