Georgia's Kobakhidze rules out ex-PM's return to politics

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has no prospect of returning to politics following his conviction on corruption charges.

As Caliber.Az reports, citing Georgian media, Kobakhidze made the remarks in response to a journalist’s question.

“There is no resource for a return when it comes to a direct corruption offense,” Kobakhidze said.

He said the ruling team’s concerns stemmed not from letters written by the former prime minister, but from what he described as Garibashvili’s corruption-related activities while in office.

“Discomfort arises when a former prime minister ends up in prison on specific charges. Corruption is very bad, and when a person is charged with corruption and that charge is confirmed, no statements or letters can wash it away,” Kobakhidze said.

By Vafa Guliyeva