Georgian PM says “greatest betrayal” committed by specific political force in August 2008 War cannot go unpunished

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said the greatest betrayal committed by a specific political force in the August 2008 War could not go unpunished under any circumstances.

In his interview with Imed TV, Kobakhidze noted that the constitutional lawsuit cited facts and together with the August War it talked about how the processes leading up to the August War were carried out consistently from 2004, then even more intensely from 2006.

“I would like to remind you in detail what benefits the Kremlin received, how it expanded its military presence in our country, on our territory, how Russia expanded its territorial influence in our country with the participation of the previous Government. We remember the aggressive rhetoric since 2004, we were asked to do the same not long ago. In 2004, they had their first attempt to invade the Tskhinvali region by military force. Then they somehow managed to calm it down. Interesting processes began in 2006. In 2006, alternative, separatist elections were held based on the processes planned by the [imprisoned former President Mikheil] Saakashvili’s regime. In 2006, [Eduard] Kokoity was the de facto president at that time, the Georgian Government, the Saakashvili’s regime, held alternative elections in the Tskhinvali region, where the president of South Ossetia was elected unconstitutionally, that is, the Georgian Government organized the elections of the president of South Ossetia”, the PM said.

“Isn't this betrayal? First, South Ossetia did not exist, the district was abolished, this name did not exist at all, our state did not recognize it, and even more so, how could there be talk of a president there. This was not an adventure, this was an ordinary gross betrayal committed by the previous Government when it elected an alternative president of South Ossetia on the basis of its own organised elections. Isn't this betrayal? Of course, it is betrayal, which is mentioned in detail in this lawsuit. This was followed by the formation of a temporary administration in 2007, not only the president, but then the Government was formed, the heads of this structure were called ministers, etc.“ he concluded.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday presented the joint constitutional lawsuit prepared by members of the Georgian Dream party faction and political groups People’s Power and European Socialists, requesting the recognition of the activities of several political parties as unconstitutional and their ban.