"In recent days he has been mentioning pressure from the authorities" - a Batumi City Council UNM member has passed away

The Gonio-Kvariati majoritarian lawmaker of the newly-constituted Batumi City Council passed away this morning. Nugzar Putkaradze was a member of the National Movement.

According to the family members, 57-year-old Putkaradze developed a diabetic crisis and suddenly died.

Just a few days ago, in Batumi, members of the National Movement made a statement about the pressure being put on opposition party members.

"The information circulated this morning regarding the death of Mr Nugzar Putkaradze has horrified everyone. I will tell you that a few days ago at the office of the National Movement members of our recently convened city council made a statement about the pressure exerted by the government on several members, although they did not specify the identity of the people exerting pressure.

Mr. Nugzar has been saying in all reports in recent days that this pressure is getting more and more widespread and I will refrain from making concrete assessments at the beginning, although we may be facing a criminal offense of inciting a person to suicide," said Kakha Mikeladze, UNM member