Georgia’s PM: Government ready to pardon 4 October protest organisers if they repent

“The Georgian government is prepared to release individuals detained over an alleged attempt to overthrow the state during protests on 4 October, provided they confess and express genuine remorse,” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at a press conference today.

Responding to questions about those arrested during the demonstrations, Kobakhidze accused “radical opposition” leaders of abandoning the activists they had rallied to take to the streets.

“Around 3,000 to 4,000 people showed up for the coup rally. In the end, however, they abandoned a few individuals to their fate. Everyone suddenly distanced themselves from the very attempt to overthrow the government. This demonstrates the immorality of the radical opposition,” PM Kobakhidze said.

The Prime Minister maintained that while the actions of those involved constituted a grave offence, the state has no interest in keeping individuals incarcerated if they own up to their actions.

“How immoral must you be?. A leader calls on you, you attend a rally aimed at overthrowing the state, you attempt to overthrow the government alongside them, and the moment the attempt fails, they immediately wash their hands of you. That is the nature of this radical opposition,” Kobakhidze continued.

Turning to those currently in custody, the Prime Minister offered a conditional route to release.

“Our approach is clear. If anyone repents and confesses, we will take appropriate steps. We have no desire to keep anyone in prison if they express regret. These individuals committed a very serious crime; they attempted to overthrow the government, yet despite this, we are prepared to forgive this crime and release them in the event of remorse and confession,” Kobakhidze noted.

Concluding his remarks, the head of government accused external and domestic political factions of attempting to stoke political tensions in the country.

“There are forces that want escalation, that want to deepen polarisation. We have a different agenda,” Kobakhidze added.