Saakashvili Insists on Stripping of Arrested MP’s Credentials

President Saakashvili called on Parliament on October 28 to unanimously strip Gia Nutsubidze of his MP credentials after he was arrested on Friday for alleged corruption charges.

“All those [MPs], who stay at home [and do not vote to strip Nutsubidze his MP credentials], will have to deal personally with me…. I will personally count the votes,” Saakashvili said.

“I also want also to address the representatives of the parliamentary opposition. If they refuse to vote, it means that they [opposition MPs] are boycotting not the government, but their own country,” he added.

“I have already talked with the Parliamentary Chairperson, who understands everything very well and totally shares our position,” Saakashvili said.

The Parliament is expected to discuss the General Prosecutor’s Appeal to strip Gia Nutsubidze of his MP credentials on October 28.

MP Gia Nutsubidze of the ruling National Movement party was arrested while giving GEL 50 000 as a bribe to Deputy Education Minister Temur Samadashvili on October 27, Chief Prosecutor of Tbilisi Giorgi Gviniashvili said.

Later, law enforcers released hidden camera footage showing MP Nutsubidze handing over a package, allegedly money, to the Deputy Education Minister.

Officials from the law enforcement agencies say that MP Nutsubidze was trying to gain a favorable contract with a construction firm engaged in the Education Ministry-funded program to rehabilitate schools in a number of Georgia’s provincial districts.

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