“Failure to comply with the investigative commission’s request is a criminal offence. Democratic principles do not permit political figures to commit crimes without consequence,” stated Archil Gorduladze, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs.

He emphasised that if such leniency were acceptable, Georgia would not be a lawful, democratic state.

“The law clearly states that ignoring an investigative commission’s request is a criminal offence,” Gorduladze insisted.

Drawing comparisons with European countries, the MP highlighted how politicians who committed crimes “ended up behind bars.”

“If a person involved in politics commits murder, should we not arrest them? The answer is simple: yes. It doesn’t matter what they wear or where they are listed; offenders belong in prison unless they repent and receive appropriate mitigating measures as prescribed by law,” concluded Archil Gorduladze.