Georgian police arrested a top opposition leader on February 23 at his party headquarters, just a day after the formation of the new government led by Irakli Garibashvili.

This has further deepened the political crisis that was sparked by disagreements during last year's parliamentary elections.

Just a few days ago, then Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia resigned following a disagreement over whether or not to arrest Niki Melia, the chairmen of the opposition United National Movement.

Garibashvili, the country's new prime minister told a Member of parliament, he wanted to proceed with the arrest of Melia, who is currently facing charges of organizing "violent mass protests"  during the demonstrations against the Georgian government in 2019. If convicted Melia can face up to nine years in prison.

UNM and the other opposition parties have called the charges politically motivated and called citizens to protest against the arrest at the prime minister later on Tuesday.

A Tbilisi court last week ordered that Mr. Melia be taken into custody for allegedly failing to post bail. The interior ministry at the time announced it was postponing the arrest following the resignation of Mr. Gakharia.

Former Prime Minister Gakharia said that the arrest was unacceptable as it can fuel the political divisions in the country.