Speaker of the Georgian Parliament said the opposition parties such as the United National Movement [UNM] and Akhali, along with other groups calling for the disruption of elections, would henceforth be considered extremist parties, NGOs that urge the cancellation or disruption of elections would be classified as extremist NGOs.

"As tragic as it may be that several parties and NGOs officially distance themselves from democracy, it is still a useful process for our democracy, as it clearly draws a red line between, on the one hand, Georgia`s patriots and democrats - those who express their will through their choice - and, on the other hand, radicals, extremists, parties, or NGOs acting on behalf of foreign interests.

No country, constitution, or legal system would define such actions as anything other than extremism. Therefore, from today, the UNM, Akhali, and other parties attempting to disrupt the elections will be extremist parties. Likewise, NGOs that refuse to participate in the elections and call for their disruption will be extremist NGOs.

Our attitude toward them - and that of the Georgian people - will be appropriate, as toward extremists. The same applies to organizations that attempt to finance them - they will be considered financiers of extremism by every criterion", - said Shalva Papuashvili.