“The majority of the Georgian public is justified in doubting the soundness of Mikheil Saakashvili’s judgment. However, the fact remains that Saakashvili’s reckless actions in August 2008 were not the result of his psychological instability, but rather the outcome of externally commissioned and carefully planned treason,” reads the statement of the ruling Georgian Dream’s (GD) Political Council.

According to the GD, there is a situation “where there are former authorities that have admitted to starting the 2008 War, that is, committing treason against one’s own country and people, and this political force is still driven by the desire to return to power.”

“We believe that under these conditions, the legal non-assessment of the committed crime is tantamount to a crime in its own right. Today, with the legal proceedings in The Hague and Strasbourg concluded, there is no time for hints.

The time has come for the perpetrators to be held accountable to the full extent of the Constitution and the law.

Given the above factual circumstances, in order to establish long-term peace and stability in Georgia, it is vital to conduct a public legal process and to ensure that the public learns, once and for all, who committed grave treason against our country and our people,” reads the statement.