Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: actions outside the law will face consequences

Kakha Kaladze, the mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Saturday said that every citizen has the right to express their views and hold demonstrations, but this must be done within the limits of the law, and any violations would always be met with an appropriate response from state institutions.

Commenting on the verdict against Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia - Lelo party, Kaladze addressed the balance between rights and legal obligations.

“Freedom of speech and expression is protected in this country. We all know that very well. Every person has the right to express their opinion on any issue, including by holding a rally or gathering with several people - there is absolutely no problem with that. However, everything has its own rules; there are legal frameworks and laws. Everyone should respect the law and express their views within its limits. Any other type of action, when you go beyond the law, will always be met with an appropriate response”, Kaladze said.

He expressed no expectation that ALDE or similar foreign partners would distance themselves from Lelo, suggesting instead that they may continue to encourage violent and extremist groups.

“I have no illusion that they will distance themselves from anyone, including Lelo, because everything we have witnessed in recent years regarding developments in the country is, of course, directed from abroad”, he noted.

The official described this as part of a broader pattern of external direction and support for destabilising activities in Georgia over recent years.

“Instructions come from outside, and they have their own patrons. They will neither distance themselves from these actions nor be able to do so. On the contrary, they may even encourage them. We have seen over the past several years how violent groups and extremist organisations were supported and financed. That is today's reality”, Kaladze noted.

“We should not have the illusion that they will act differently or say that Lelo is behaving improperly within the country and criticise it. That will not happen. On the contrary, they will do everything possible to further increase pressure on the country and encourage extremist and violent groups. Unfortunately, that is the reality”, he concluded.

Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the opposition Strong Georgia - Lelo, on Friday was found guilty by the court on charges of attempting to commit a terrorist act. Judge Giorgi Gelashvili sentenced him to 13 years in prison.

The case concerns an incident that took place in the administrative building of the Tbilisi City Court, where employees of the Court Enforcement Service stopped Elisashvili’s actions, after which he was detained by law enforcement officers at the scene.

Elisashvili was charged under Article 19-323(1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which refers to an attempt to commit a terrorist act. The offence carries a sentence of 10 to 15 years of imprisonment.