Georgian Parliament sets quotas for investigative commission on alleged crimes by previous Gov’t

The Parliament of Georgia on Friday determined the composition and quotas for a newly established temporary investigative commission tasked with examining alleged crimes committed by the former United National Movement Government between 2003-2012.

Davit Matikashvili, the Chair of the Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, said the commission would consist of 10 members. The ruling Georgian Dream faction will hold five seats, People's Power will have two, Euro-Socialists will receive one, and two seats will be allocated to the opposition quota.

Matikashvili clarified that the Gakharia for Georgia party could occupy the opposition-designated seats, as the Parliament had suspended the status of all 49 MPs from the three other opposition groups that won seats in last year’s general elections on Wednesday. The vote followed the opposition’s request last year over claims of alleged election rigging.

The Gakharia for Georgia party, which secured 12 seats in the elections, did not request suspension of the MP status for its members. However, the party continues to boycott the Parliament and demands a rerun of the elections.

In his comments, Matikashvili pledged the commission would commence its work “soon”, emphasising a “transparent process”. He also warned that individuals refusing to cooperate with the body could face “legal consequences”.

The events before 2012, including crimes committed during that period, the loss of territories [in the 2008 Russia-Georgia war], the killings of young people in the streets, and attacks on the media, must once again be acknowledged for what they were”, Matikashvili said. 

He cited a recent case in Poland, where a former Minister of Justice faced criminal charges for refusing to cooperate with a parliamentary investigative commission, suggesting similar repercussions for non-compliance with the newly formed body.

The commission has been granted an initial three-month mandate, with the possibility of an extension for an additional three months, bringing its total potential operation time to six months.

Its primary objective is to conduct a “thorough and transparent investigation, evaluate actions” of the 2003-2012 administration, and “mitigate political, economic, and other threats to the country”.