For Georgia’s MP Kereselidze: 4 October case was a political deal cooked up in Georgian Dream offices

“The events of 4 October were the result of a political deal orchestrated inside ruling party offices in collusion with opposition leaders,” opposition MP Shalva Kereselidze claimed in Parliament today.

Speaking on behalf of the For Georgia parliamentary faction, Kereselidze asserted that there is ample evidence to prove the alleged state overthrow plot was in fact a coordinated political deal designed to disenfranchise opposition voters.

“The 4 October case was a political deal cooked up in Georgian Dream offices; a political agreement struck alongside opposition party leaders. Numerous facts and confirmations are proving this,” Kereselidze said.

The opposition MP argued that rhetoric surrounding government overthrows and state media takeovers was deliberately deployed to demoralise voters ahead of local elections.

“There were calls for state coups, government overthrows, seizing state television broadcasts, and so on. As a result, 700,000 opposition-minded voters stayed home during the municipal elections, effectively handing council seats over to Georgian Dream on a plate,” MP Kereselidze noted.

Addressing potential pardons or plea bargains for those detained, Kereselidze urged the politicians involved to publicly admit their role in the plot.

“A great many people participated in this process, whether accidentally, unwittingly, unthinkingly, or passionately, having no idea what was truly taking place. However, on the part of those politicians directly involved in directing and orchestrating these events, a grave mistake and crime was committed. If we are talking about pardoning them, they ought to step forward and confess to the crime they committed against their own country and people. They should admit that, yes, they participated in this planned process alongside Georgian Dream,” Kereselidze said.

Dismissing debate within rival opposition circles on whether detained activists should accept plea agreements, the MP maintained that his party remains focused on accountability.

“That is the reality. Assessments from the likes of Nanuka Zhorzholiani or certain other figures carry no weight for me. Some say everyone should sign a plea deal to get released, while others say they shouldn’t. What they think is of little interest to us,” Kereselidze added.