Givi Targamadze, former MP from the United National Movement, has been released from prison after serving seven months.
Speaking to journalists following his release, Targamadze said he sees himself in the struggle wherever he is needed.
“First and foremost, my heart aches that I’ve been released whilst so many people remain in prison. I would truly have been happier to be the last one out, with everyone else already free. Sadly, we cannot control this. I wish those people good health. As for wishing them fortitude and endurance, they proved long ago how much fortitude they possess. Therefore, good health and everything will be fine in the end. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who supported me over these past months, especially those who stood by my family. My wife and daughters are strong, fighting women, but without your support, it would have been much more difficult for them. I am deeply thankful for that; I love you all.
“I have been incarcerated in rather unusual circumstances. Below me, someone serving a sentence for attempting to murder me, the bomber, has been remanded. Somewhere nearby, there was someone who, in his time, was blocking this bombing case from within the State Security Service. Then Romeo and Giu joined us, followed by Lilu. In the end, my neighbour couldn’t wait; he could have waited until February, but he wanted to be close to me for a while, so he moved next door. They don’t keep us in the same space for long, but that’s all right. I’ll strengthen Khvicha, and he’ll strengthen those here.
I see myself in this struggle wherever I’m needed. I will absolutely do everything necessary for this. Since for years I had the possibility of ending up in a Russian or Belarusian prison, I was prepared for all of this. There’s no comparison with what’s here. Therefore, I did everything to be in the best form, both physically and mentally,” Targamadze stated.
Asked whether he would engage in consultations between opposition parties, Targamadze replied:
“Since I don’t represent any party leadership, I don’t have that segment, but I’ll share my ideas. I’ve already agreed with Zura that we’ll share. It turned out very convenient that Zura was released a bit earlier, he knows everything, and it’s easy to talk with him. I really spent seven months talking to the walls there. So now I can’t start lecturing anyone. I’ll first talk with people, find out what’s happening and how it’s happening.”
Asked how he assesses these seven months, Targamadze answered that “this is the price.”
“This is the cost of fighting for freedom. It’s difficult, it’s not easy, and in some cases it’s tragic. Fortunately, the price we’re paying now isn’t irreparable, whether it’s one year, two years, several months, or several days’ imprisonment. What’s very important and powerful is that people aren’t refusing to pay this price. They’re not stopping because of it. If you stop now, this price automatically rises and reaches the level we’re now witnessing in Iran, and even more so in Ukraine. Therefore, this price must be paid, however heavy it may be. Not fighting because of certain dangers is immediate defeat. Right now, we’re not in a position to be ready for defeat. I assure you, this regime is far more vulnerable. I observed this even in prison due to the continuous growth of their population,” Targamadze stated.
On June 7, Tbilisi City Court sentenced Givi Targamadze to seven months’ imprisonment for failing to comply with a summons from Parliament’s temporary investigative commission. He was also banned from holding office for two years.
Targamadze had been summoned to the parliamentary temporary investigative commission on April 3 but did not appear. He was charged under Article 349 of the Criminal Code, which covers “failure to comply with the requirements of the temporary investigative commission of the Parliament of Georgia.”
Tbilisi City Court initially imposed bail of GEL 10,000 lari as a preventive measure in the case of Targamadze’s failure to appear before the investigative commission, which he paid within the statutory period.
