On Okro’s Testimony
Op-Ed
Georgian Dream has seized the golden witness! The main witness in the case against ex-President Saakashvili has been arrested on the grounds of organizing the infamous “Gavrilov Night” on June 20. Irakli Okruashvili is serving a two-month pre-trial detention, awaiting the final court decision. The black cat crossed the path of the government and Okruashvili after the latter issued a statement demanding 100% shares in the broadcasting company Rustavi 2. Some two weeks ago, he published a document that was notarized in Berlin which suggests the current owner of Rustavi 2, Kibar Khalvashi, is transferring his 100% shares to him. Nevertheless, many think that the true reason for the arrest of the leader of the ‘Victorious Georgia’ party is in fact one of his TV interviews.
In an interview with Rustavi 2, Okruashvili recalled a story of five years past about giving a testimony for the investigation, under direction of the General Prosecutor. Although it concerned the case of Rustavi 2, apparently this ignited fear that the latter may start talking about the testimonies given against President Saakashvili, ex-Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili and other high-ranking officials, rulings which have been repeatedly highlighted by Ivanishvili and GD one of their primary achievements. “If the former President of the country is judged on the basis of false testimony made by his former Defense Minister, and if in this case Okruashvili had mediators, Ivanishvili would have become worried and this could have resulted in his sharp attitude towards Okruashvili,” stated Republican leader Davit Berdzenishvili.
On July 22, Okruashvili stated that in 2014 he tried sorting relations with Bidzina Ivanishvili and that then Head of Parliament Davit Usupashvili served as the mediator. Ivanishvili responded quickly, asking him to visit Chief Prosecutor Irakli Shotadze and give testimony. As the former minister declared at the briefing, he did actually go to the Prosecutor’s Office and give testimony on a number of high-profile cases. It is this statement that Berdzenishvili was referring to. This political deja-vu that encompassed Okruashvili gives rise to numerous questions. The same happened in 2007, when on November 2, ex-Defense Minister Okruashvili, who had fled the country, went live and accused President Saakashvili of being directly involved in PM Zurab Zhvania’s death.
It isn’t ruled out that Okruashvili could raise this issue again. Interest towards his “reminiscences” is high both in the Georgian Dream as well as the United National Movement, who could also address, for instance, Badri Patarkatsishvili’s death. Perhaps everyone remembers how unexpectedly this 11-year-old story became one of the main theme’s during the 2018 Presidential elections. Hence, we can only guess how many interesting political cataclysms could happen in the near future.
That the fate of Okruashvili does matter to the UNM can be clearly seen from the comments that the third President of Georgia made after his imprisonment: “I have always had difficult relations with Irakli Okruashvili. He was used to give false testimony, because of his personal sentiments against me. But now, he really is an innocent victim and over this period, Okruashvili has acted bravely, which should be appreciated,” said Saakashvili.
The fact that Okruashvili’s arrest is not connected with the “Gavrilov Night” and that the true reason is different can be seen from the testimonies given by those police officers whose testimony was used as the grounds of his custody. These were gathered on July 22-24, one month after the actual fact. If Okruashvili’s actions on June 20 were so destructive, why did it take so long to act? A common question that anyone with common sense would ask.
Whether the 2007 scenario will be replayed, that is, if the people will head to the streets to protect Okruashvili, or if we will hear any new testimonies from “Okro”, will be seen soon. However, as mentioned, we already see the political deja-vu implications. But before that, Okruashvili, as well as the other 19 people in custody, among them Nika Melia, could face a nine-year prison sentence. Each is being accused of organizing and participating in group violence which took place between people and the police on the steps of Parliament on the night of June 20.
By Zaza Jgarkava
Image source: vestnikkavkaza.net