“Saakashvili’s statement is nothing more than an attempt to incite tension and confrontation within the opposition. Neither insults nor slander can conceal the truth,” the opposition coalition Lelo – Strong Georgia said in a statement.

According to the coalition, “it is completely unclear by what logic a politician can describe Lelo’s political activities as a ‘business project,’ when it was Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze who set aside their many years of successful business careers, personal well-being, and family security to openly oppose Bidzina Ivanishvili’s government, which pursues Russian interests.”

“Because of their political principles, they twice refused parliamentary mandates, stood alongside Lelo members and Georgian citizens at protest rallies, and, due to their commitment to their principles, found themselves in political captivity and were unjustly deprived of their freedom. Despite everything, they continue to fight for Georgia’s European future and for liberating the country from Russian influence.

As for Mr. Saakashvili, the fact is that during his rule, the country was handed over to a pro-Russian force, and he himself later became a prisoner of the same government. Furthermore, his policies repeatedly led to severe internal crises, splits and weakening within his own party, the United National Movement.

It is truly sad to witness how one of the architects of a free Georgia has reached the state he is in today.

If anyone wishes to throw mud at us, that is their responsibility. We will not respond to slander and insults in the same manner. We will neither engage in mudslinging nor follow attempts to shift others’ internal conflicts and weaknesses onto us.

We will continue our struggle with the same principles that have guided us until now and will carry this fight through to the end with dignity.

We will certainly prevail,” the statement reads.

Earlier, former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili said during a court hearing: “Lelo is just a business project for Badri [Japaridze] and Mamuka [Khazaradze]. And Ahali, let’s be honest, was established from the outset as a Gilauri brothers project, not to achieve victory, but to split the United National Movement’s vote.”