Mikheil Kavelashvili has pardoned Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. As stated in Kavelashvili’s announcement, “Despite various circumstances, the President made this decision to ensure that no one has even the slightest pretext to claim that the local self-government elections are being held under conditions of limited competitiveness.”
“Yesterday, the registration process for electoral subjects for the local self-government elections was completed. Among the registered political associations is one party—‘Strong Georgia – Lelo,’ whose leaders are currently serving sentences in a penitentiary institution for a specific crime.
It is undeniable that the local self-government elections will be held in a competitive environment even with their imprisonment. At the same time, it must be emphasized that elections should not become an indulgence for any politician who commits a crime. Nor should we overlook the fact that a few weeks ago, the respective prisoners rejected my offer of a pardon, thereby attempting to insult the institution of the President.
However, despite all the aforementioned circumstances, to ensure that no one has even the slightest pretext to claim that the local self-government elections are being held under conditions of limited competitiveness, I have decided to pardon two convicts—Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. I express hope that in the future, they will continue their political activities with respect for the law.
I call on all electoral subjects to facilitate the conduct of local self-government elections in a healthy and peaceful environment. I wish success to all electoral subjects participating in the local self-government elections with a sincere commitment to the development of municipalities and the realization of the population’s interests,” Mikheil Kavelashvili’s statement reads.
