Georgian Parliament official: Georgia has right to determine through judicial proceedings which parties engage in anti-constitutional activities

Davit Matikashvili, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Thursday commented on the European Parliament’s debate on Georgia, saying that it is Georgia’s right as a sovereign country to determine, through judicial proceedings, which political parties engage in anti-constitutional activities.

In his remarks, Matikashvili said the public had witnessed a “shameful picture”, with the same “fabricated accusations” once again being voiced by only around 20 MEPs.

“The public witnessed a shameful picture. In the virtually empty European Parliament chamber, which has a capacity of 720 members, the same fabricated accusations were once again voiced by only around 20 MEPs. [MEP Rasa] Juknevičienė and Georgia’s so-called unwavering friends once again repeated accusations that have no basis whatsoever”, he said.

“It is our right, as a sovereign country and nation, for Georgia to determine through judicial proceedings which political parties engage in activities that are anti-constitutional. Therefore, such an attack and such interference in Georgia’s internal affairs are unacceptable”, Matikashvili concluded.

The debate on Georgia was held in a virtually empty European Parliament chamber. Some MEPs once again called for the release of Mikheil Saakashvili and opposition activists, while sanctions against the Georgian authorities were also among the demands.