Georgian president pardons opposition leaders ahead of municipal elections

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has pardoned the leaders of the opposition party Lelo, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, who were serving sentences for failing to appear before a controversial parliamentary commission.

“I have made the decision to pardon the two convicted individuals – Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. I hope that in the future they will continue their political activities in accordance with the law,” Kavelashvili stated, Caliber.Az reports via Georgian media.

He explained that the decision was motivated by a desire to “leave no grounds for anyone to speak of limited competitiveness” in the upcoming municipal elections on 4 October. At the same time, Kavelashvili emphasised that the opposition figures themselves had not petitioned him for a pardon.

The coalition Strong Georgia, formed around Lelo, will participate in the elections, refusing to join the boycott called by other major opposition parties.

Kavelashvili urged all electoral actors to help ensure that the elections are conducted in a “healthy and peaceful environment.”

In June, the court sentenced Khazaradze and Japaridze to eight months in prison. Leaders of Akhal – Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Zurab Japaridze – as well as Strategy Aghmashenebeli founder Giorgi Vashadze, former United National Movement member Givi Targamadze, and ex-Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili, also received 7–8 month sentences for refusing to cooperate with the parliamentary commission.

Kavelashvili had previously stated in July that he would pardon convicts if they expressed an intention to participate in the local elections. However, among the major opposition forces, only Lelo and Gakharia – For Georgia plan to take part. Other parties have described the elections as a “special operation” aimed at legitimising the ruling Georgian Dream party. On election day, they plan to hold a large-scale protest in Tbilisi.

By Vugar Khalilov