Georgian PM: investigation into previous Gov’t “necessary” to “remind public of their crimes”

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the planned work of a parliamentary investigative commission into actions of the previous United National Movement Government was a “necessary step to remind the public of grave crimes committed by those who sought to return to power” in elections. 

The ruling Georgian Dream party announced the creation of the commission earlier this year, with Vladimer Bozhadze, a GD MP, on Friday saying it would be formed next week and operate for a period of six months.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze emphasised that while “much information” was “readily available”, it was “crucial” to “thoroughly examine and present evidence of the crimes to the public”. 

The crimes are on the palms of our hands”, the official said. “Do you remember what was happening in Georgia between 2004-2012 [under the UNM rule]? It was murder of people - 150 young people were killed alone on the street; it was torture of people, what was happening in prisons. You all remember well, and you all know this very well”, he added.

The official also referred to the former authorities’ “monopolisation of media” and “seizure of television stations”, including Rustavi 2 and Imedi TV, during their spell in power. 

The PM further pointed to “devastating consequences” of the Russia-Georgia 2008 war, saying “the main crime is, of course, the war, as a result of which Georgia lost 20 percent of its territories. 30,000 people became internally displaced, and more than 400 of our civilians and military personnel died”. 

Kobakhidze also rejected “claims made by the EU Ambassador” to the country, who he said had suggested that European integration of Georgia was “contingent on coming to power of those individuals who were engaged in torture, murder, unleashing the war, business racketeering and media manipulations” during the UNM rule. 

What does European integration have to do with [UNM] murderers, robbers?”, Kobakhidze questioned. “The Georgian public drew a conclusion, and because of this, it followed not the call of the EU, but the truth”, he added in reference to the results of the parliamentary elections last year. 

The PM further asserted the GD party had received 54 percent of the vote in the elections “because the public chose the truth over external pressures”, adding, “those torturers, murderers, could not return to power and will never return to power, [and] we are responsible for this”.