The News in Brief
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgian President Rejects Summons, Urges Prosecutor's Office to Investigate Election Fraud Impartially
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, facing a summons from the Prosecutor's Office in connection with an investigation into alleged election fraud, firmly stated she would not comply. In a press briefing, Zourabichvili called on the Prosecutor's Office to focus on a transparent investigation rather than, as she described, "politically targeting" her.
"You are accountable to the people," she said, addressing the Prosecutor's Office directly. "The public demands an immediate investigation." Zourabichvili questioned the timing of her summons, noting it coincided with recent comments by Russian Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, who had called her a "puppet president" and suggested her removal. "I don't know who is following Medvedev's instructions and who isn't," she remarked pointedly.
Zourabichvili presented video evidence of election-day irregularities, insisting that the footage spoke for itself. "Here is the evidence," she said. "It's clear what happened on October 26 and how the elections were conducted." She criticized the Prosecutor's Office for summoning her, arguing that in a "normal country," investigators should independently gather evidence.
The President further highlighted evidence amassed by citizens, NGOs, and international observers, which she claimed demonstrated "widespread" electoral manipulation. Zurabishvili also echoed concerns raised by the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) over visible ballot markings that compromised voter privacy.
Urging the Prosecutor's Office to proceed impartially, Zourabichvilil said, "Do your job and stop holding the President politically accountable. As for me, I will continue to do my job."
Bank Accounts of Atlantic Council Employees Seized in Georgia Amid Scam Call Center Investigation
The bank accounts of Sofo Gelava and Eto Buziashvili, employees of the Atlantic Council, have been seized by Georgian authorities in connection with an investigation into alleged fraud related to scam call centers. According to the financial police, a court authorized the restrictions three days ago.
Both Russian disinformation researchers have had access to their bank accounts restricted for the past three days. The Ministry of Finance stated, "The bank accounts of the individuals involved in the call centers case were seized by court order." This action has drawn criticism from the U.S. Helsinki Commission, which described the account restrictions as an attack on Georgian civil society and the American organization that employs them. Commission Chairman Joe Wilson added that the Georgian government is "moving toward Russian-style authoritarianism."
Georgian President Rejects Summons, Urges Prosecutor's Office to Investigate Election Fraud Impartially
"You are accountable to the people," she said, addressing the Prosecutor's Office directly. "The public demands an immediate investigation." Zourabichvili questioned the timing of her summons, noting it coincided with recent comments by Russian Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, who had called her a "puppet president" and suggested her removal. "I don't know who is following Medvedev's instructions and who isn't," she remarked pointedly.
Zourabichvili presented video evidence of election-day irregularities, insisting that the footage spoke for itself. "Here is the evidence," she said. "It's clear what happened on October 26 and how the elections were conducted." She criticized the Prosecutor's Office for summoning her, arguing that in a "normal country," investigators should independently gather evidence.
The President further highlighted evidence amassed by citizens, NGOs, and international observers, which she claimed demonstrated "widespread" electoral manipulation. Zurabishvili also echoed concerns raised by the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) over visible ballot markings that compromised voter privacy.
Urging the Prosecutor's Office to proceed impartially, Zourabichvilil said, "Do your job and stop holding the President politically accountable. As for me, I will continue to do my job."
Bank Accounts of Atlantic Council Employees Seized in Georgia Amid Scam Call Center Investigation
Both Russian disinformation researchers have had access to their bank accounts restricted for the past three days. The Ministry of Finance stated, "The bank accounts of the individuals involved in the call centers case were seized by court order." This action has drawn criticism from the U.S. Helsinki Commission, which described the account restrictions as an attack on Georgian civil society and the American organization that employs them. Commission Chairman Joe Wilson added that the Georgian government is "moving toward Russian-style authoritarianism."