Public has many questions regarding 2008 War, says Parliament Committee Chair

Levan Makhashvili, the Chair of the Committee on European Integration of the Georgian Parliament, on Monday said Georgian citizens had numerous unanswered questions regarding the lead-up to the 2008 war, the events that transpired during the conflict, and the subsequent steps taken.

Makhashvili commented on the work of the Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission examining alleged crimes committed by the former United National Movement Government between 2003 and 2012, which currently reviews the 2008 August War with Russia.

Makhashvili raised several key questions that remain on the public's mind: “Where was the Government? What was it doing to prevent the war? During the war, why did political figures become generals, and why did political figures make military decisions without the proper authority? And after the war, we often refer, for example, to the Council of Europe resolution where the then-Government accused its own country and its own army of starting the war”.

He further noted that the current Government expected the investigation process to result in the official recognition from the West of the systemic crimes committed by the United National Movement party.

“For me too, the investigative commission sessions are very important, and I listen with great attention because, due to my age, I was not aware of many things during the period the commission is investigating. I was not as actively involved in these processes as a citizen. We are observing very important and interesting developments”, Makhashvili said.

Makhashvili highlighted that under Georgian Dream’s leadership, Georgia successfully pursued legal cases against Russia in international courts, securing verdicts that established Russia’s responsibility for the occupation and related human rights violations.

“It is ironic when some try to conflate the Georgian Dream with Russian influence. The truth is, if anyone deserves credit for holding Russia accountable, it is this government. Instead of attempting to blur these lines, those making such claims should acknowledge the facts”, he added.

Regarding the West’s response, Makhashvili criticized the lack of public recognition of the previous regime’s alleged abuses.

“If we expect anything from the West, it is the acknowledgment of the violent and oppressive system that once ruled Georgia”, he concluded.