The News in Brief
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
President Salome Zourabichvili Meets with Female Opposition MPs to Discuss EU Candidacy Status
On October 24, the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, held a meeting with female opposition MPs.
According to statements from the opposition representatives following the meeting, the primary focus was on European integration. They noted that the President has her own vision for Georgia's EU membership candidate status, which she plans to unveil to the public in the coming days.
"It is a fact that threats and accusations from the Georgian Dream have no influence on the president. She intends to continue protecting the country's European status with his own political steps and decisions. It was about how she sees our mandate. She listened to our recommendations," said Khatuna Samnidze, leader of the 'Republican Party'.
According to Salome Samadashvili, a member of Lelo, the president discussed coordinated actions with the opposition to obtain EU candidacy status.
"The President has a very strong desire to take coordinated action so that, despite unfulfilled conditions, we can receive the candidate status. She has her own vision of what should be done from this perspective, and she will present it to the public," Samadashvili stated.
Investigation against President Zourabichvili's 2019 Prisoner Pardon Continues, Says Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze
Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze informed journalists that the investigation against President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili, regarding the pardoning of prisoners in 2019 is still ongoing.
"Criminal prosecution of the current president is limited by law; immunity applies to the president. Criminal prosecution against her is possible only in the case of impeachment if the Constitutional Court confirms the fact of a violation of the Constitution or a criminal offense. The investigation continues; it was initiated a few years ago regarding the possible crimes that were publicized several years ago," said Shotadze.
On August 28, 2019, President Salome Zourabichvili pardoned 34 prisoners. On September 20, 2019, the Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation into this issue under the first part of Article 332 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the abuse of official authority.
President Salome Zourabichvili Meets with Female Opposition MPs to Discuss EU Candidacy Status
According to statements from the opposition representatives following the meeting, the primary focus was on European integration. They noted that the President has her own vision for Georgia's EU membership candidate status, which she plans to unveil to the public in the coming days.
"It is a fact that threats and accusations from the Georgian Dream have no influence on the president. She intends to continue protecting the country's European status with his own political steps and decisions. It was about how she sees our mandate. She listened to our recommendations," said Khatuna Samnidze, leader of the 'Republican Party'.
According to Salome Samadashvili, a member of Lelo, the president discussed coordinated actions with the opposition to obtain EU candidacy status.
"The President has a very strong desire to take coordinated action so that, despite unfulfilled conditions, we can receive the candidate status. She has her own vision of what should be done from this perspective, and she will present it to the public," Samadashvili stated.
Investigation against President Zourabichvili's 2019 Prisoner Pardon Continues, Says Prosecutor General Irakli Shotadze
"Criminal prosecution of the current president is limited by law; immunity applies to the president. Criminal prosecution against her is possible only in the case of impeachment if the Constitutional Court confirms the fact of a violation of the Constitution or a criminal offense. The investigation continues; it was initiated a few years ago regarding the possible crimes that were publicized several years ago," said Shotadze.
On August 28, 2019, President Salome Zourabichvili pardoned 34 prisoners. On September 20, 2019, the Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation into this issue under the first part of Article 332 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the abuse of official authority.