**Georgian Prosecutor’s Office Probes Ex-Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia**
The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the actions of former Interior Minister and Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, who now leads the opposition For Georgia party. The probe focuses on a 2019 incident when police placed a checkpoint near the village of Chorchana, adjacent to the occupation line with de facto authorities in Tskhinvali.
In June, Vakhtang Gomelauri, who replaced Gakharia as interior minister in 2019 and recently resigned, testified to the prosecution. The Prosecutor’s Office stated that they studied the actions taken by Gakharia on August 24, 2019, alongside other issues related to a broader “sabotage” investigation.
**A Rare Moment of Resistance**
The opening of the police checkpoint near Chorchana village led to tensions flaring up with de facto authorities in Tskhinvali. This was unusual under the Georgian Dream administration, where police services had previously resisted demands from Russia-backed Tskhinvali. While Georgian Dream endorsed Gakharia as prime minister just days after the incident, the issue was later raised during his testimony to the Tsulukiani Commission.
**Investigation and Allegations**
The Prosecutor’s Office is investigating Gakharia for potential crimes related to sabotage, attempting to carry out hostile activities on behalf of a foreign organization, and mobilizing funds against Georgia’s constitutional order. The investigation appears to be part of a larger probe opened by Georgian prosecutors in February that led to the freezing of solidarity funds used to pay police fines for detained protesters.
**Pressure from Georgian Dream?**
Tinatin Bokuchava, leader of the opposition United National Movement party, believes the new probe is an attempt by Georgian Dream to pressure Gakharia into participating in upcoming local elections. “The real reason behind summoning Gomelauri is making it very clear to Gakharia the choice he has: either going to prison, or participating in a special operation called ‘local elections’,” Bokuchava wrote on Facebook.
**Boycotting Local Elections**
UNM and other opposition parties have vowed to boycott October’s municipal elections. However, For Georgia, led by Gakharia, is leaning towards participation. This has created tension within the opposition, with some parties feeling pressured into participating.
As Gomelauri testified to the prosecution, he stated that he was against opening a checkpoint near Chorchana and believed it should not have been done. The investigation’s focus on Gakharia’s actions during this incident raises questions about the motivations behind Georgian Dream’s attempts to pressure him into participating in local elections.
**A Divisive Issue for Opposition**
The controversy surrounding the local elections has become a divisive issue within the opposition, with some parties feeling forced to participate and others refusing. The investigation into Gakharia’s actions adds another layer of complexity to this debate.
Read More @ civil.ge
