On February 8, the United National Movement (UNM) staged a rally near the Ministry of Justice. Protesters were demanding Mikheil Saakashvili's release for medical treatment. The demonstrators called Rati Bregadze, the Minister of Justice, a murderer. They contended that everyone involved in the effort to keep Saakashvili behind bars was a murderer. 

On the same day, Georgian Dream Chairman Irakli Kobakhidze stated, "At first they said that they were stopping their parliamentary work, then they said that they were not leaving their mandates. For us, it does not matter what mode the National Movement will be in. The main thing is that they are in the weakening mode."

"Members of the National Movement find it hard to reject their mandates, everyone saw that. Their salaries are a financial benefit for Kezerashvili. If they leave the mandates, there will be an additional financial burden for the oligarch who finances the corresponding wing of the National Movement," he said.

The diplomat added: "Therefore, they have retreated. At first, they said that they were stopping their parliamentary work, then they said that they were not leaving their mandates. For us, it does not matter what mode the National Movement will be in. The main thing is that they are in the weakening mode. This is the main mode that characterizes them. Leaving everything aside, their chairman is Khabeishvili, this is a very good process that will take place in this political party. This is a process of weakening, which I think will be irreversible."

"Their resources to destabilize the country are zero. That is why they want to release Mikheil Saakashvili, they see that their leaders have zero resources. The National Movement should be weakened even more," Kobakhidze said.

Levan Khabeishvili, the Chairman of the United National Movement, stated that the protest wave would cover all districts and all cities and arrive in the capital. "There will be protests in all regions and cities of Georgia. I appeal to the public – to express your anger against Bidzina Ivanishvili and these Russians. I am addressing you, young people, who do not want to live in Russia, who want to live in a free, democratic, European country, this is your fight. This is your protest; this is the path we must all walk together. President Saakashvili's case is equal to our European future, and President Saakashvili's life is equal to our European future. President Saakashvili's life is directly related to the better future of our country. Let no one think that if President Saakashvili is killed by torture in prison, we will be welcomed to Europe," Khabeishvili said. According to him, high-ranking officials and government members should know that they will be met with protests everywhere they go. "You will feel the breath of the Georgian people behind you," Khabeishvili said.

Notably, after the Tbilisi City Court denied the request to delay Mikheil Saakashvili's sentencing, the National Movement declared a wave of ongoing demonstrations.

Read also: United National Movement to Start Major Protest After Court Decision on Saakashvili