Georgian PM criticises President’s “lack of cooperation” in election-related investigations

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday addressed an ongoing investigation into recent claims of “falsification” of Saturday’s parliamentary elections, launched by the Prosecutor's Office of the country, criticising President Salome Zourabichvili and other political figures for their “lack of cooperation” in the process.

In an interview with an Imedi TV live programme, the PM noted Joe Biden, the United States President, and Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative, had previously “urged the Georgian authorities to initiate an investigation and directly requested Zourabichvili’s cooperation”, adding their requests meant “nothing to the President and other political figures”.

The Central Election Commission [on Tuesday] made an important statement, based on which the Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation the next day. Under these conditions, again and again, those people do not cooperate with the investigation”, he said.

These people directly say that they are not going to cooperate with the investigation. We must remember once again that Zourabichvili is not a representative of a non-governmental organisation, she has other responsibilities”, he added.

The PM said when a political official of the state put “practically the serious blame” on the state system, she “has a special responsibility” to provide relevant information to constitutional bodies, such as the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia, and the failure to cooperate, only indicated that Zourabichvili had nothing to say to the investigation.

The head of the Government claimed Zourabichvili was “facing disappointment, as she has been preparing for a six-year term as a President”, with the official noting “this was a fight for seats” within the Government from the President and domestic opposition, adding “they have zero resources for this”.

The Prosecutor's Office on Thursday said the investigation also involved the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Investigative Service of the Ministry of Finance, with the cases including allegations of falsification during the elections, influencing of voters’ will, violation of the secrecy of voting, bribery of voters, interference with media activities, violence and threats, and damage and destruction of property at polling stations or during the electoral campaign process.

The body said the investigations had been initiated following appeals from both the domestic opposition and the ruling Georgian Dream party, the country’s Central Election Commission, non-governmental organisations and media reports.

The Office on Wednesday said the President had been summoned to the investigative agency for an interview on Thursday.