The Prime Minister of Georgia said the opposition Formula TV spread a message that if Georgian citizens did not return the collective United National Movement opposition to power.

“They want to inform citizens that if the Georgian public does not return the bloody regime - the collective UNM opposition - to power, then the public will be punished. This message is spread by Formula TV. This is a cheap blackmail that will have no effect on the elections. The Georgian public will give an even clearer response to such blackmail on October 26”, - said Irakli Kobakhidze.

His comment followed after the Formula TV reported that an agreement had actually been reached at the EU level to suspend visa-liberalisation for Georgia after the October 26 parliamentary elections, in case of further deterioration of the situation and violation of democratic principles, including the principle of free elections.

Rikard Jozwiak, the Europe editor for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, responded to the matter and said he had not heard anything about new EU measures on Georgia, which includes the suspension of visa liberalisation.