PM: There Are No Political Prisoners in Georgia
The state will honor every commitment made to its strategic partners, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia stated in response to the journalists' question regarding MEP Andrius Kubilius' letter.
The head of government noted that there is no political justice and there are no political prisoners in Georgia.
"There are no political prisoners in Georgia, period. There is no political justice in Georgia, period. As regards our commitments, the state will honor every commitment made to its strategic partners," the PM noted.
Lithuanian politician and member of the European Parliament Andrius Kubilius has sent open letters to President of Georgia Salome Zurabishvili, Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and Chairman of Parliament Archil Talakvadze, calling on them to ensure fulfillment of the March 8 election agreement reached with the opposition.
In the letters, MEP Kubilius mentioned the cases of opposition leaders Gigi Ugulava and Irakli Okruashvili, and opposition member Giorgi Rurua. The MEP says that sentencing 5 years of imprisonment to Irakli Okruashvili "may be considered a sign of growing mistrust."
"I am following the current events in Georgia, especially the implementation of the agreement adopted on March 8. I would like to emphasize that despite the extraordinary challenges posed by the current pandemic, the urgent implementation of the agreement is crucial. European partners need clear proof that progress has been made and that the 2020 elections are ensured to be held in free and fair environment,” Kubilius wrote.
Chairman of Parliament of Georgia Archil Talakvadze has sent a response letter to MEP Andrius Kubilius.
The Georgian Speaker writes that he is concerned by the part of Kubilius’s letter referring to particular criminal cases.
“From our side, it is understood as your call on Parliament and the ruling party to politically intervene in the judiciary,” Talakvadze said, adding that “Georgian courts cannot be ordered or directed by political parties.”
“Such reading of the situation was unexpected from the Co-President of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly,” Talakvadze writes.
“You may rest assured that judgement on any criminal case will be made by relevant institutions only,” Talakvadze said, adding that no criminal case is a part of the political agreement of 8 March.
Talakvadze stressed that Georgian leadership remains committed to “upholding and striving for the highest standards in the functioning of Georgia’s judicial system and to avoiding any inappropriate politicization of our judicial and electoral processes in the future” as it was mentioned in the Joint Statement of March 8 Agreement.
“First of all let me inform you that Georgia successfully copes with the COVID-19 pandemic. Government, healthcare workers and other frontline professionals throughout the country are united and work hard to protect the Georgian people. We stand in solidarity with nations affected by the pandemic.
"I am grateful for your keen interest in the political developments in Georgia, expressed in your letter of 6 May 2020.
"The March 8 political agreement is indeed significant for further strengthening the foundations of a healthy and lively political environment, especially in the run-up to the parliamentary elections this year, It was signed by the Georgian Dream in good faith to contribute to free, fair and competitive elections. Shortly after signing it, we initiated relevant constitutional amendments reflecting election model agreed with the opposition. In addition, we prepared a draft-package of amendments, with the inclusive engagement of stakeholders, for an election code based on OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. The draft-package will be discussed and adopted by the Parliament of Georgia within the ongoing session. Thus, these steps demonstrate our determination for implementing the political agreement as enshrined in the text.
"I was concerned by the part of your letter referring to particular criminal cases. From our side, it is understood as your call on Parliament and the ruling party to politically intervene in the judiciary. It is against the basic tenets of the rule of law. Georgian courts cannot be ordered or directed by political parties. Such reading of the situation was unexpected from the Co-President of the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. You may rest assured that judgment on any criminal case will be made by relevant institutions only.
"No single criminal case is a part of the political agreement of 8 March 2020 (please, see the Memorandum of Understanding and the Joint Statement enclosed). Nevertheless, as mentioned in the Joint Statement, we remain committed to upholding and striving for the highest standards of the functioning of Georgia's judicial system and to avoiding any inappropriate politicization of our judicial and electoral processes in the future.
"Let me use this opportunity to once again express our commitment to very close cooperation with you and to joint efforts for strengthening democracy and the parliamentary dimension in Europe. We strongly appreciate your engagement and support,” the letter reads.
By Ana Dumbadze