Georgian PM: convict in opposition figure’s attempted murder pointing to “UNM-associated individuals” “interesting”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday responded to a statement by the Prosecutor General’s Office on alleged links between former President Mikheil Saakashvili and the 2016 attempted murder of Givi Targamadze, a member of the United National Movement party in Tbilisi, by saying a convict in the case “pointing to involvement” of former UNM officials in the alleged plan was “interesting”.

Citing testimonies of Darcho Khechuashvili, the convict arrested last month, the Office said Saakashvili, who was serving as the Governor of Odessa in Ukraine at the time, had instructed another individual to monitor Targamadze “due to mistrust and concerns” about his cooperation with the Georgian Dream authorities ahead of the 2016 elections in Georgia.

Later that year, Targamadze's car was detonated outside the UNM office in Tbilisi, injuring him and two bypassers.

Khechuashvili also claimed Gia Lortkipanidze, the country’s former Deputy Interior Minister who currently serves as the Deputy Head of Ukrainian military intelligence, was involved in the case.

In his comments, the PM said the convict had “refused to fully admit his guilt” but had “confirmed connections” with individuals associated with UNM, “including a high-ranking official in the Ukrainian Government”.

The attempt to kill Targamadze, a severe provocation, occurred just a few days before the elections”, the official said and highlighted the need for “further investigation with extreme caution”. 

Pointing to the 18-year sentence of Khechuashvili, who had been convicted in absentia in 2019 before his arrest last month, the PM pointed to an alleged new task in his decision to cross into the country before he was apprehended. 

Imagine someone in Georgia facing an 18-year prison sentence attempting to cross the ‘green border’ illegally. How could someone take such a significant risk unless they had another agenda? This is a possibility that needs to be explored, the rest must be determined through investigation. This fact alone indicates the need for maximum caution”, he said. 

The PM further noted the election campaigning should “take place in an unprecedentedly calm environment”. “With two weeks remaining, we must ensure a peaceful electoral process. This includes preventing any provocations, especially serious ones, which continue to be discussed at UNM offices”, he alleged.