ALDE has yet to distance itself from Lelo over justification of terrorism

The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), led by Kaja Kallas and Marta Kos, has yet to distance itself from its Georgian member party Lelo, which has justified terrorism and has not expelled one of its leaders, Aleko Elisashvili, following his conviction on terrorism-related charges.

ALDE, whose Georgian member party is Lelo, has so far neither responded to nor distanced itself from the party's position justifying terrorism.

After Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia – Lelo coalition, was found guilty of attempting to commit a terrorist act and sentenced to 13 years in prison, the party did not condemn the attempted terrorist act.

Despite the factual circumstances of the case and the evidence presented in court, Lelo members have claimed there was no evidence, described the charges as fabricated and, in effect, sought to legitimise and justify the attempted commission of a serious crime. Elisashvili himself admitted guilt and told the court he had acted out of protest.

“The protest I felt was suffocating me, and I acted the way I could. I decided that was the necessary course of action. I failed”, Elisashvili said.

Against this backdrop, ALDE, which consistently advocates European values, the rule of law, security and the protection of human rights, has so far refrained from responding to the position taken by one of its member parties.