GD Chair Comments on Partskhaladze Citizenship Controversy
Commenting on the USA-sanctioned former Prosecutor General, Otar Partskhaladze’s controversial dual (Russian and Georgian) citizenship issue, the ruling Georgian Dream chairperson, Irakli Kobakhidze stated that if a person becomes a citizen of a foreign country without informing Georgian authorities, then the inquiry is conducted and may result in the termination of the citizenship.
“As far as I know, the Ministry of Justice has started looking into the matter,“ Kobakhidze said.
The GD Chair emphasized once more that Otar Partskhaladze is indeed a Georgian citizen, and as a result, the imposed sanctions cannot be enforced against him in the same manner as they are typically applied to non-citizens of Georgia.
The GD Chair was reacting to the statement made by the President of Georgia earlier today, according to which “no document regarding the Georgian citizenship of Otar Partskhaladze has been submitted to the President.“
The organic law on Georgian citizenship reads that in case of acquiring foreign citizenship, the decision on granting consent to retain the Georgian citizenship shall be taken by the President of Georgia in accordance with the procedure established by the Law.
For the record, on September 14, The United States sanctioned Otar Partskhaladze (and a Russian Intelligence Officer Aleksander Onishchenko) for exerting Russia’s malign influence in Georgia. According to the US, “FSB Officer Onishchenko likely assisted his associate Partskhaladze in obtaining a Russian passport and possibly Russian citizenship. Partskhaladze has fully taken on a Russian identity and routinely travels to Russia. Onishchenko and the FSB have leveraged Partskhaladze to influence Georgian society and politics for the benefit of Russia. Partskhaladze has reportedly personally profited from his FSB connection.”
Also Read:
- 18/09/2023 – Kobakhidze Slams NBG, President, for Partskaladze Comments
- 15/09/2023 – Politicians React to US Sanctions Against Partskhaladze
This post is also available in: ქართული (Georgian) Русский (Russian)
