**Lelo – Strong Georgia Takes a Stand: Tea Tsulukiani and Commission Members Face Magistrate Judge**
In a bold move, the coalition Lelo – Strong Georgia is demanding that Tea Tsulukiani, chairwoman of the temporary investigative commission in parliament, and other members be questioned before a magistrate judge. The move comes as a response to defamatory statements made by Tsulukiani and her team against leaders of the coalition, Badri Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze.
According to Irakli Kupradze, Secretary General of Lelo – Strong Georgia, this is not just about seeking answers for the defamation. “It’s about holding Tea Tsulukiani and other members accountable for their actions,” he explained at a press conference at Tbilisi City Court. “They have created an illegitimate commission on the orders of Bidzina Ivanishvili, and we refuse to give it legitimacy.”
Kupradze criticized Tsulukiani’s handling of the commission, calling it a “circus” performance. “We did not participate in this farce, and now we’re taking her to court,” he said. “She must answer for the slanderous propaganda she has spread against our leaders, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.”
The question of legitimacy hangs over the commission, which was set up by the Georgian Dream-dominated parliament. Lelo – Strong Georgia sees this as an attempt to undermine their influence and silence opposition voices.
**What’s at Stake?**
At its core, this dispute is about power dynamics in Georgian politics. The commission’s actions have sparked controversy, with many seeing it as a tool for Bidzina Ivanishvili’s regime to further marginalize the opposition.
By taking Tsulukiani and her team to court, Lelo – Strong Georgia is pushing back against what they see as an illegitimate effort to suppress dissenting voices. As Kupradze put it, “We will not let them silence us with their propaganda and slander.”
This move has significant implications for the fragile balance of power in Georgian politics. Will the government respond with further intimidation or use this opportunity to re-evaluate its stance? Only time will tell.
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