“We have not changed our decision to participate in the municipal elections – they put us in prison precisely to make us change that decision,” said Badri Japaridze, one of the leaders of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” to the media after leaving the penitentiary.
According to him, the party’s position regarding participation in the local self-government elections remains the same as it was before their imprisonment.
“Our position is the same as it was before we were placed in prison. This is a fight for our country’s European future, for the release of all political prisoners, and for new elections. Of course, 74 days ago, we made the decision – which is why we were imprisoned – that we would participate in these municipal elections, and that decision has not changed. They put us in prison to force us to change this decision,” Japaridze stated.
For reference, Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned the leaders of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. Kavelashvili explained his decision by stating that he wanted to ensure no one is left with the impression that the local self-government elections are being held under conditions of limited competitiveness.
As a reminder, the leaders of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, were detained at the party’s office on June 23. Their detention was based on a decision by Judge Zviad Sharadze, who found both leaders guilty of failing to comply with the demands of the Parliament’s temporary investigative commission.
Badri Japaridze: We have not changed our decision to participate in the municipal elections – they put us in prison precisely to make us change that decision
