In this file photo taken on Sept 08, 2019, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia speaks at the Parliament in Tbilisi as he faces a confidence vote. He announced his resignation on Feb 18, 2021 over disagreement with the ruling party over plans to enforce court decision to arrest a top opposition leader. (VANO SHLAMOV / AFP)

TBILISI - Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia announced his resignation on Thursday.

Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia believed it was wrong to arrest Nika Melia, a parliament member and head of the United National Movement opposition party, when there is a danger of political escalation in the country

Gakharia said in a statement that he decided to step down because he could not reach an agreement with the ruling party over the arrest warrant issued against Nika Melia, a parliament member and head of the United National Movement opposition party.

He believed it was wrong to arrest Melia when there is a danger of political escalation in the country.

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"My absolutely firm position is that the enforcement of justice against one person, if it endangers the health of our citizens, if it creates a chance for political escalation, is unacceptable," Gakharia told a briefing.

Tbilisi City Court ruled Wednesday that Melia be remanded in custody for failure to post bail, per the request of the country's Prosecutor's Office.

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Georgian Parliament on Tuesday suspended the MP status of Melia, allowing the prosecution to demand his arrest claiming the latter has not posted bail for his release in a case dating back to the June 2019 protests.