Opposition MP: President appointing former ruling party member as Pardon Commission Chair would be “disaster”

Aleko Elisashvili, the leader of the Citizens opposition party, on Friday said the prospect of President Salome Zourabichvili appointing Eka Beselia - a former member of the ruling Georgian Dream party - as the Chair of the Pardon Commission was a “disaster”.

In his remarks, Elisashvili claimed Beselia's appointment would bring a “rampage of corruption” to the Presidential Administration.

If Salome Zourabichvili restores the Pardon Commission, it is good, because the cancellation of this Commission was very bad. If she appoints Eka Beselia as its Chair, it will be a disaster. I hope Salome Zourabichvili will not make such a big mistake”, he said.

The MP went as far as claiming Beselia had “made money by trading in fates of prisoners”.