Member of European Georgia Party Summoned for Questioning

Irma Nadirashvili, the member of the opposition political party European Georgia, has been summoned to the Prosecutor General's Office for questioning within the framework of the investigation into recent presidential pardons.

The Prosecutor General's Office said the lawmaker will arrive in the investigative department on Monday.

Today, the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia launched an investigation into pardoning murder convicts by the President of Georgia based on the appeal of the European Georgia Party, saying the investigation has been launched into possible abuse of power in the process of pardoning.

In particular, Nadirashvili said that when it comes to the pardoning of the certain individual by President, people address the President's Parliamentary Secretary, Dimitri Gabunia, to discuss the financial issues and the fee in exchange for which one can be pardoned.

"The Prosecutor General's Office has launched an investigation into the possible abuse of power in the process of pardoning convicts Ramaz Devadze, Aslan Bezhanidze, Zurab Nadiradze and others, the offense envisaged by part 1 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Georgia," the prosecutor's office said.

Prosecutor's Office does not specify whether Salome Zurabishvili will be questioned regarding the case.  

Zurabishvili pardoned Aslan Bezhanidze, a person convicted for the 2004 murder of Davit Otkhmezuri. He was detained in 2016. The Supreme Court found him guilty and imposed imprisonment with a term of 6 years and 9 months.

He was released from the penitentiary facility on August 28, Virgin Mary Day.

The President pardoned 34 prisoners in connection with Virgin Mary Day including a convict charged for the 2014 murder of police officer Tarash Mukbanian. The above caused outrage in society and among the opposition parties. 

By Ana Dumbadze