“This is a very good gesture from the President—come on, gentlemen! When it’s an election campaign and so-called politicians claim they are being persecuted, here’s the ball and the field. Step up, and if you have the necessary resources, either win the elections or deliver results,” said Guram Macharashvili, a deputy from the “People’s Power” party, commenting on Mikheil Kavelashvili’s decision to pardon Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.
According to him, this step by Mikheil Kavelashvili reflects a statesmanlike approach.
“We remember that a few weeks ago, Mikheil Kavelashvili offered the representatives of this branch of the ‘National Movement,’ the so-called politicians, to submit a request for a pardon and participate in the election campaign, which they refused, thereby confirming that their goal was not to participate in the elections but to hide and find excuses for why they lose elections. Now, this is a statesmanlike approach by President Kavelashvili. When it’s an election campaign and so-called politicians claim they are being persecuted—here’s the ball and the field. Step up, and if you have the necessary resources, either win the elections or deliver results. The reality is that they have no resources—not only in terms of voter trust but also because they couldn’t even formally find candidates to field in more than half of the constituencies. They couldn’t find candidates, so how will they find supporters? This is a very good gesture from the President—come on, gentlemen. On one hand, the law was enforced because they broke the law, and the court acted. On the other hand, they can’t say they were in prison and couldn’t win elections—come on, one month remains, and if you have any resources, deliver results,” Macharashvili stated.
When asked whether it is expected that Mikheil Kavelashvili might pardon prisoners detained during protests, Macharashvili responded that what they did during the protests constitutes “criminal activity.”
“Who are you talking about, the youth? I think you’re confusing political processes with crime. These are two entirely different matters.
The degree of criminality matters—people who attempt to burn others alive, throw stones, insult others, destroy buildings, and so on—this is going against the constitutional order; it’s plain crime. These people weren’t participating in a political process and resisting police or wanting to burn things for that reason. We’re talking about them throwing stones at police or causing damage without any explanation,” Guram Macharashvili noted.
For reference, Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned the leaders of the “Lelo – Strong Georgia” party, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.
As Kavelashvili explained, “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.”
Guram Macharashvili to Khazaradze-Japaridze: Come on, gentlemen! Here’s the ball and the field—if you have any resources, deliver results
