The party “Gakharia for Georgia” has released a statement regarding the decision of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the June 20–21, 2019 case, calling the ruling “a verdict for the real criminals.”

According to the party, the Grand Chamber’s decision confirms that the charges brought against Giorgi Gakharia by the Prosecutor’s Office are politically motivated and fabricated.

“We agree with the decision of the Grand Chamber of the Strasbourg Court on the June 20 case — this is what we have been saying all along. The decision confirms that the prosecution’s accusations against Gakharia are fabricated, this is political persecution, and the accusation serves solely to shield the real authors of the crime,” the statement reads.

The party asserts that the ruling exposes the true responsibility behind the events.

“The decision of the Grand Chamber is a verdict for the real criminals. We will use this decision in every possible way as evidence before the Committee of Ministers to prevent falsification of the case.

This case will certainly be fully investigated under conditions of independent justice, and the responsibility of the real offenders will be addressed,” the Gakharia for Georgia party stated.

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has announced its decision in the case of Tsaava and Others v. Georgia on December 11. A total of 26 applicants were involved in the case. The Strasbourg Court found that Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights — covering both inhuman or degrading treatment and the lack of an effective investigation — had been violated in respect of 24 applicants. The Court also ruled that Article 10 (freedom of expression) had been violated in the cases of 14 applicants, while Article 11 (freedom of assembly) had been violated in respect of 11 applicants.

For reference, the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office initiated two criminal cases against former Prime Minister and then Interior Minister Giorgi Gakharia. One of these cases concerns the events of June 20–21, 2019. Gakharia was ordered held in pre-trial detention in absentia.