02 Sep 2026
UNM opposition leader Nika Melia refused bail
The leader of Georgia's United National Movement opposition party (UNM) Nika Melia was refused bail today.
The Judge of Tbilisi City Court Nino Chakhnashvili dismissed Melia from the courtroom because Melia called her ‘a slave’ (of the current government).
The opposition parties which have been demanding Melia’s release for about two months have stated earlier today that the government ‘is not willing to ease the current political tension’ and that Melia ‘remains a political prisoner.’
Melia was arrested on February 23, 2021 for his refusal to pay bail. His release was among top demands of the opposition in the EU-mediated talks last month. However, the mediation efforts ended without the result.
Melia is charged with incitement to violence during the June protests in Tbilisi back in 2019 which were sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in the Georgian parliament. He was released on 30,000 GEL bail on June 27, 2020. However, Melia violated the conditions of his bail by publicly removing his surveillance bracelet and 40,000 GEL was added to his bail in November 2020.
Melia has refused to pay the 40,000 GEL bail and on February 5, 2021 the Georgian Chief Prosecutor’s Office warned him of the possibility of his bail conditions being reversed to detention.
Latest news
Latest newsRomania Faces Political Deadlock: Nicusor Dan Moves to Form a New Government
01.Sep.2026
Pashinyan Meets Aliyev in Bishkek: Armenia and Azerbaijan Prepare for a New Stage in the Peace Process
01.Sep.2026
Ukraine Plans to Present Allies with a New War Strategy and Seek Early EU Funding
31.Aug.2026
The Mecca Pact — Protection or a Trap for Turkiye?
30.Aug.2026
Tigran Khzmalyan: Armenia must make a Decisive Choice in Favor of Europe
30.Aug.2026
Bulgaria to Strengthen Its Black Sea Fleet: Sofia to Receive Seven Minehunter Vessels
29.Aug.2026
Russia Intensifies Strikes on Ukraine’s Infrastructure, Targeting Warehouses and Logistics Hubs
28.Aug.2026
A New Economic Framework for Central Asia and the Caucasus: The Role of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan
28.Aug.2026
Moscow Warns London: Russia Considers Strikes on British Military Targets
27.Aug.2026
Kazakhstan Launches a New Economic Strategy: GDP Growth, Investment and Pension Reform
27.Aug.2026
CIA Director Visits Moscow: Trump Hopes for Results
26.Aug.2026
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Warns of Risk of Gradual Defeat in War with Russia
25.Aug.2026
Putin Authorizes Temporary State Management of Critical Infrastructure Vulnerable to Drone Attacks
24.Aug.2026
The United States Rapidly Expands Missile Production: Pentagon Accelerates Output of Tomahawks and Other Critical Weapons
24.Aug.2026
Record Supplies: Armenia Boosts Fish Exports to Georgia
23.Aug.2026