Opposition Politician Threatens Senior MP with Jail

Kakha Kukava, a lawmaker from the Conservative Party ? a member of the nine-party opposition coalition – has threatened to put a senior lawmaker from the ruling party, Givi Targamadze, behind bars if the opposition comes to power.

?Targamadze represents one of the largest criminal groups in this country and he will definitely face criminal charges,? Kukava said in an interview published by the Georgian weekly Kviris Palitra on December 10.

Kukava?s remarks followed Targamadze?s allegations that the nine-party opposition coalition was trying to secure business tycoon and presidential candidate Badri Patarkatsishvili?s financial backing in exchange for the prime minister?s position. The coalition is backing Levan Gachechiladze for the presidency.

Kukava was among a group of senior politicians from the coalition who visited London last week, where they held talks with Patarkatsishvili. Kukava has strongly denied making ?a clandestine deal? with Patarkatsishvili.

?We have agreed on two important issues with Patarkatsishvili,? Kukava said. ?We have established that the Saguramo [opposition coalition] manifesto is not only a set of priorities supported by the united opposition, but by Badri Patarkatsishvili as well. And the second issue concerns the protection of gains made by the Georgian people on January 5 [presidential election date]. If Saakashvili dares to rig the elections, we, along with other opposition presidential candidates, will stand together on January 6 to protect the Georgian people?s votes.?

?Dialogue is on-going with Patarkatsishvili about other issues, as well. The authorities should expect many surprises. We will play a kind of game with Saakashvili so as to secure total victory.?

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