Prosecutors Close Probe into Alleged Pardon Commission Influence Peddling With No Charges

Investigation into alleged influence peddling in the process of inmates’ pardoning has been closed without filing charges against anyone as no evidence of criminality was found, Prosecutor’s Office said on March 18.

The investigation was launched in December after Aleko Elisashvili, who chaired the presidential pardon commission from November 2013 till April 2014, claimed that two senior lawmakers from the Georgian Dream ruling coalition – Eka Beselia and Manana Kobakhidze – tried to exert undue influence on him while lobbying for preterm release of several inmates convicted in 2010 “cocaine case”. Elisashvili, who is now an independent member of the Tbilisi City Council, also claimed that he was told by an official, whom he refuses to name, that Beselia and Kobakhidze received USD 200,000 in advance payment and were expected to get USD 1.5 million in case of securing preterm release of the “cocaine case” convicts.

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MP Beselia, who chairs parliamentary committee for human rights, and MP Kobakhidze, who is vice-speaker of the parliament, have denied allegations. Kobakhidze, however, confirmed showing interest towards the ‘cocaine case’ convicts, which, she, said was natural and legitimate taking into view the fact that she acted as their defense lawyer during the trial about five years ago. 

“Existence of corruption deal between so called ‘cocaine case’ convicts and politicians, named by Elisashvili, on pardon issue was not confirmed as a result of the investigation; therefore, the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office has terminated investigation into this case,” the Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement, which also provides details of some of its investigative measures undertaken during the probe.

Elisashvili, who in late December accused Prosecutor’s Office of trying to stifle the investigation, said on March 18 that the probe aimed at “covering up” the crime and not at investigating it.

“Prosecutors were working on stifling the investigation and they think that they succeeded; but they are deluding themselves,” Elisashvili said on March 18 after the Prosecutor’s Office announced about closing the investigation. “They have done everything to cover up [wrongdoings by] Beselia and Kobakhidze.”

MP Beselia told journalists on March 18 that the investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office confirmed her and Kobakhidze’s claims that Elisashvili was “telling lies intentionally.”

“Now he has to be held accountable for false testimony,” she said.