Opposition
In the 2000s, he again attempted to enter Georgia's political arena. In July, 2001 the "Samshoblo" ("Motherland") All-Georgia Patriotic Alliance was officially registered in Tbilisi. The organization, comprising nine parties and popular movements, elected Giorgadze its Chairman.
In 2003 he founded the political party "Samartlianoba" (Justice), and in 2005 Giorgadze became the initiator of the political movement "Anti-Soros" which is an alliance of four opposition parties including Samartlianoba. The movement's name refers to the American billionaire George Soros. The party advocates closer economic and political ties with the Russian Federation and criticizes the current government for its pro-NATO course. However, Giorgadze’s party enjoys minimal support in Georgia, and has been accused of being funded by the Russian security services.
Despite being abroad, Igor Giorgadze attempted to run for President of Georgia in the 2000 and 2004 elections, but on each occasion Georgia's Central Election Commission (CEC) refused to register him.
On September 6, 2006, Georgian police arrested over 30 members of the "Samartlianoba" party and its satellite political groups in a round-up in the nation’s capital Tbilisi and elsewhere in the country.
The arrested were accused of plotting to organize a violent coup against the government of President Mikheil Saakashvili. Allegations also include receiving illegal funding from abroad and collaboration with the security services of a foreign country.
Georgian media quoted President Saakashvili as saying, "These people will receive what they deserve and their patrons and sponsors will see this. As far as I know hysteric attempts were underway . The wine embargo has failed to bring results, military provocations as well; so this kind of things has been left on their disposal, but these attempts will not harm us if we are consolidated.". The defendants, among whom is Giorgadze's niece Maia Topuria, were convicted and sentenced from 4 to 8 years of imprisonment . Topuria's American legal council have decryed the decision to close the courtroom and have urged the government of Georgia to stop the political persecutions against the defendants . The trial is under appeal in Strasbourg .
Read more about this topic: Igor Giorgadze
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