GD President to Pardon Jailed Opposition Leaders, If They Pledge to Run in Local Elections
GD President Mikheil Kavelashvili declared readiness to pardon jailed opposition leaders, provided they pledge to run in local elections, slated for October 4, 2025.
“It is crucial that all political parties registered according to the Georgian legislation and wishing to do so, take full-fledged participation in these elections. It is also important that all political parties can run a full election campaign,” Kavelashvili said in his July 4 statement.
Given that several opposition party leaders are currently serving sentences, he added, “I propose to all convicted politicians to appeal to me in writing for pardon and in the same declaration to confirm their wish to participate in [local] elections. If such an appeal is made, I will immediately issue an act of pardon to the relevant convict.”
Currently, Irakli Okruashvili, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Giorgi Vashadze, Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaradze, Zurab Japaridze are serving sentences of up to eight months for defying the summonses of the Tsulukiani Investigative Commission. Former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia, leading the opposition For Georgia party, agreed to testify twice, but is currently under investigation over a 2019 checkpoint episode when he served as interior minister. He is currently staying out of the country.
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze explained the imprisonment of political leaders with their “non-recognition of the parliament.”
Participation in local elections has been a matter of contention among the opposition. Khazaradze and Japairdze’s Lelo and Gakharia’s For Georgia have leaned towards participation, while others have reconfirmed their pledge to boycott what they see as a repressive context and an unfair electoral process.
Also Read:
- 04/07/2025 – Gakharia Defends Chorchana Checkpoint with Tsulukiani Commission, Alleges ‘Sabotage’
- 30/06/2025 – Khoshtaria Ends Hunger Strike as Eight Parties Pledge to Boycott Local Election
- 17/06/2025 – Treason or Opportunity – Opposition Squabbles over Municipal Elections
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