U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Wilson calls for sanctions against Georgian officials; urges European allies to do same

Georgian politician Bachuki Kardava died at the age of 54, the family reported. Bachuki Kardava was Chair of the National-Democratic Party. Since 2020, he had been an MP of the 10th Convocation Parliament from the party list of electoral bloc United National Movement – United Opposition, Power is in Unity.

Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change slammed opposition parties for not rejecting state funding they received based on election results. “They called for strikes, not paying taxes, not going to work and shutting plants, and finally they did not renounce financing they received based on fabricated figures and forged election outcomes,” said Nika Gvaramia. Seven political unions will receive funding based on the results of the parliamentary elections, the Central Election Commission (CEC) announced on December 26. In accordance with the legislation, based on the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections, from November 26, the second day after the newly elected parliament was recognized as having powers, the following seven political unions have gained the right to receive state funding: Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia; United National Movement; Coalition for Change – Gvaramia Melia Girchi Droa; Gakharia for Georgia; Lelo for Georgia; Alliance of Patriots of Georgia; New Political Center – Girchi. According to the CEC, the Coalition for Change – Gvaramia Melia Girchi Droa refused to receive funding.

“When you receive financing based on elections, it means that you recognize the legitimacy of elections,” said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in the Imedi Live program. According to the PM, three of four opposition partieis, which overcame the election threshold, recognized the election outcomes. “Three of four parties, except Gvaramia’s (Coalition for Change leader) party recognized the election outcomes. Besides, those who failed to overcome the barrier, two other parties did so. When you receive finances based on elections, it means you recognize elections legitimacy,” said Irakli Kobakhidze.

Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Thursday introduced a group of lawyers to be managed by the “House of Justice” founder Eka Beselia. As Zurabishvili stated during the press point, the group of lawyers will protect the citizens and provide free legal assistance.  The hotline will also be enabled. “It is a demonstration of strong civic sentiment. People who are in jail today or who will be threatened tomorrow need even greater protection. We want them out of prison as quickly as possible. I am also confident that they will be released quickly because this regime will have no other option,” Zourabichvili stated. Eka Beselia said she would coordinate the group.

Georgian Justice Minister Anri Okhanashvili met with Public Defender Levan Ioseliani. According to the Ministry’s press service, the parties emphasized their ‘fruitful cooperation’ over the years and expressed readiness to continue close coordination. “At the meeting, Levan Ioseliani focused on the important reforms implemented in the penitentiary system, especially on the rehabilitation programs, which contribute to the correction of the convicts’ behavior and are especially important for their further integration into society. The parties agreed on deepening future cooperation in enhancing human rights protection, which is the Ministry’s one of the priorities”, reads the press statement.