Georgian Parliament official welcomes President’s pardon initiative, says it will debunk opposition, foreign criticism

Maia Bitadze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Environment Protection and Natural Resources Committee, on Sunday said individuals wishing to participate in the upcoming local elections can apply for a presidential pardon. Her remarks came in response to President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s recent offer concerning convicted opposition politicians.

Bitadze argued that this move was putting an end to the speculations that have been circulating - whether fueled by external actors or pushed as a favored narrative by the radical opposition.

“Anyone who wants to participate in the elections can apply to the President and receive a pardon. This will clearly demonstrate that the Georgian Dream’s motivation was never to keep these individuals behind bars. Let everyone see once again that these individuals are in prison today only because they deliberately broke the law to create a new political agenda from within prison”, Bitadze said.

The Georgian President on Friday announced a conditional offer of pardons for all convicted politicians, provided they express a desire to participate in the upcoming local self-government elections.

Kavelashvili emphasised the importance of inclusive participation in the upcoming local elections, where citizens would vote for mayors and council members in 64 municipalities across the country.