MP Kadagishvili: It is good when people recognize and repent their crimes

“It is good when people realize and repent of the crimes they have committed and appeal to the state for a reduction of their sentences,” Irakli Kadagishvili, Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Self-Government Committee, said.

According to Kadagishvili, the authorities had said from the outset that the state would take a lenient approach toward those who recognized that their actions had been directed against the state.

“The October 4 provocation against Georgian statehood and democracy ended in complete failure. It ended in the way the Georgian people, and not only the Georgian state, wanted it to end.

“It is good when people realize and repent of the crimes they have committed and appeal to the state for a reduction of their sentences. We said from the outset that anyone who recognizes that their actions were anti-state would be treated leniently by the state. Many people have already benefited from this approach.

“In this case as well, the state will, of course, take reciprocal steps. The matter is currently being considered by the court. This should be a signal to everyone that the era of so-called color revolutions in the country, especially those carried out at the behest of outside forces, is over.

“Everyone should understand that if they want to achieve a particular position or bring about certain changes in the country, they should do so through political activity with the Georgian people and voters.

“This once again demonstrates the futility of what happened in Georgia a year ago, on October 4. The event was officially supported by a representative of the European Union, who stood not on the side of Georgia’s Constitution, democracy and elections, but on the side of revolution. Today, one year later, it is very positive that all of this is gradually becoming a thing of the past and that people are realizing this,” Kadagishvili said.

Asked how genuine and timely an admission could be from a person who had called on people to overthrow the government peacefully, Kadagishvili said that acknowledging a mistake is always timely.

“When a person admits [a mistake] and realizes it, that is always timely. The state has a humane approach, and many people have already acted in accordance with this humane approach and are now free. In this case as well, I believe all the details will be clarified in court, and the state will continue to support this policy,” Kadagishvili said.

The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia confirmed earlier that Zodelava and Beridze, who were convicted of attempted group seizure of strategic facilities, organising group violence, and public calls for the violent overthrow of state authority, had formally submitted applications admitting guilt and expressing contrition. Prosecutor’s Office has promised to disclose its decision on the plea bargains to the public as soon as it makes its formal determination.

On 7 May, the court of first instance sentenced both Zodelava and Beridze to seven years’ imprisonment.