This is “Georgian Dream’s” attempt to drag the opposition into illegitimate elections at any cost and gain legitimacy – I want to appeal to Mamuka and Badri: step out of the false, non-existent Russian special operation, – this is how Elene Khoshtaria, one of the leaders of the “Coalition for Change,” addressed the leaders of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, who were pardoned today by Mikheil Kavelashvili.
As Khoshtaria stated at today’s briefing, their pardon is joyful news, but everyone clearly understands what this political decision serves.
“Of course, a person’s freedom is a joy, and I congratulate them on this, on a human level. I wish dignified freedom to all prisoners of conscience, to all political prisoners who remain in jail. At the same time, we all understand very well what this means politically, what this political decision serves. This is ‘Georgian Dream’s’ attempt to drag the opposition into illegitimate elections at any cost and to gain legitimacy. Legitimacy is the only thing that sustains this regime. They will do this at any cost. At the same time, it does not matter what ‘Georgian Dream’ has in mind; what matters most is how the true opposition responds to it. I want to address Mamuka and Badri with all my heart and respect, to address them today, precisely on the day of their release: make the only right decision – not for the coalition, not for me, but for the country – step out of the false, non-existent Russian special operation, step out and return to the common, principled struggle of non-cooperation, non-acceptance, non-obedience, and resistance. This will strengthen the fight. This will be the only right decision for ‘Lelo,’ for the opposition as a whole, for every activist, and most importantly, for our country. I am eagerly waiting for this right decision from ‘Lelo,’” – said Elene Khoshtaria.
For reference, Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned the leaders of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. Kavelashvili explained his decision by saying that he wants to leave no impression that the local self-government elections are being held under conditions of limited competitiveness.
Elene Khoshtaria: I want to address Mamuka and Badri with all my heart and respect: step out of the false, non-existent Russian special operation and return to the common, principled struggle of non-cooperation, non-acceptance, non-obedience, and resistance
