It is clear that we must assume that when the attempt to bribe Asef Chiragov [former Bolnisi mayoral candidate] failed, far more violent and severe pressure was employed thereafter, said Irakli Kupradze, the Tbilisi mayoral candidate for the “Lelo – Strong Georgia” coalition.
He made this statement in response to information that the coalition’s mayoral candidate in Bolnisi had withdrawn his candidacy.
“For the past few weeks, the ‘Strong Georgia-Lelo’ coalition has been subjected to intense pressure, threats, blackmail, and attempts at bribery. Our representatives, supporters, majoritarian candidates, and mayoral candidates across Georgia are under severe pressure from the State Security Service (SSS) and the Russian regime. It is a factual reality that over the past month, Mamuka Mdinaradze, the SSS, and Bidzina Ivanishvili have been determined to exert maximum pressure on ‘Strong Georgia-Lelo’ and its representatives and candidates throughout Georgia.
Yesterday, the propaganda-driven ‘Georgian Dream,’ whose main political activity relies on propaganda, announced that Asef Chiragov, the Bolnisi mayoral candidate, had allegedly withdrawn his candidacy in favor of ‘Georgian Dream.’ Asef Chiragov has been a member of our party, ‘Lelo,’ for years. For years, he has attended protests from Bolnisi, consistently bringing local residents, actively participating, and engaging in protest actions. Four days ago, Asef Chiragov contacted our party organization, met with us, and conveyed a message that a close relative, an active police officer, approached him and offered a sum of money in exchange for withdrawing his candidacy. Asef Chiragov’s response was negative; his attitude toward ‘Georgian Dream’ was, and likely remains, critical. He considers ‘Georgian Dream’ a Russian regime and warned us that ‘Georgian Dream’ is continuing attempts at bribery, threats, and blackmail in other municipalities. Four days later, Asef Chiragov withdrew his candidacy. It is clear that we must assume that when the bribery attempt failed against Asef Chiragov, far more violent and severe pressure or blackmail attempts were employed against him. It is a factual reality that this pressure worked, and we must understand that in the regions, especially in areas populated by ethnic minorities, the pressure, coercion, and SSS blackmail are far more severe. We expect continued blackmail and threats against our members, but we also clearly state that we will not stop fighting in any direction, regardless of what Mamuka Mdinaradze’s SSS, Bidzina Ivanishvili’s anti-Georgian regime, or Kaha Kaladze’s criminal gang, which roams the streets of Tbilisi and tries to obstruct our activists’ political campaigns and activities, may do. I want to express gratitude to every regional activist, candidate, majoritarian, and mayoral candidate across Georgia who stands firm despite the heavy indicators of violence, blackmail, threats, and bribery wielded by ‘Georgian Dream.’ This fight will continue, and we will undoubtedly succeed in identifying every individual involved in this pressure and blackmail,” Kupradze stated.
As a reminder, the Bolnisi mayoral candidate for “Lelo-Strong Georgia” announced that he is withdrawing his candidacy in favor of the “Georgian Dream” candidate, Zamur Chitanava.
Irakli Kupradze: When the attempt to bribe Asef Chiragov failed, far more violent and severe pressure or blackmail attempts were employed against him
