The News in Brief
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Parliament of Georgia Fails to Impeach President Zourabichvili
The Parliament of Georgia was unable to remove the President from office through impeachment where 86 deputies supported the impeachment of President Salome Zourabichvili, with one deputy voting against it. The President can only be considered removed from office if this decision is supported by at least two-thirds of the full composition of the parliament, which amounts to 100 deputies.
Before the vote, Georgian Dream Chair Irakli Kobakhidze stated that they wouldn't be able to gather the necessary votes for impeachment; however, his main objective was to elicit a reaction.
The United National Movement declared a boycott of the impeachment session.
The Georgian Dream initiated the impeachment procedure against the President "on the grounds of a constitutional violation," stemming from President Zourabichvili's visits to European capitals without government permission.
Russian Occupation Forces Illegally Detain Two Georgian Citizens
The Russian occupation forces illegally detained two Georgian citizens near the occupied villages of Ghromi and Balaani in Akhalgori, as reported by the State Security Service of Georgia.
According to the agency, the State Security Service activated the 'hotline' operated by the European Union Monitoring Mission upon receiving the information. Another instance of illegal detention was swiftly reported to the co-chairs of the international discussions in Geneva and international partners.
"All existing mechanisms have been activated to secure the prompt release of illegally detained Georgian citizens. Responsibility for all destructive actions in the occupied territories of Georgia and along the occupation line rests with the occupying power," reads the State Security Service statement.
Parliament of Georgia Fails to Impeach President Zourabichvili
Before the vote, Georgian Dream Chair Irakli Kobakhidze stated that they wouldn't be able to gather the necessary votes for impeachment; however, his main objective was to elicit a reaction.
The United National Movement declared a boycott of the impeachment session.
The Georgian Dream initiated the impeachment procedure against the President "on the grounds of a constitutional violation," stemming from President Zourabichvili's visits to European capitals without government permission.
Russian Occupation Forces Illegally Detain Two Georgian Citizens
According to the agency, the State Security Service activated the 'hotline' operated by the European Union Monitoring Mission upon receiving the information. Another instance of illegal detention was swiftly reported to the co-chairs of the international discussions in Geneva and international partners.
"All existing mechanisms have been activated to secure the prompt release of illegally detained Georgian citizens. Responsibility for all destructive actions in the occupied territories of Georgia and along the occupation line rests with the occupying power," reads the State Security Service statement.