Papuashvili: Nobody bypasses Georgian justice through political insinuations; criminal charges require legal answers, not politicisation

“Nobody in Georgia has ever managed to bypass justice through political statements and insinuations. We must firmly resist any attempt to politicise a criminal proceeding. Formal charges have been brought, and a legal process demands proper legal answers. There are testimonies, confessions, and concrete questions that must be addressed, rather than resorting to political insinuations,” declared Speaker of the Parliament Shalva Papuashvili.

The Speaker responded to a question regarding a recent statement by former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who addressed Papuashvili directly, claiming: “Shalva, this is not a legal process; this is ruthless political persecution.”

Papuashvili argued that political insinuations that distort reality are completely unjustified.

“When speaking of a person who took his own life, this individual shouldered heavy sins: he bore false witness and committed suicide. Those who now weaponise him and his words are, in truth, his worst enemies. The man passed away burdened by this heavy weight, and if people respect anything at all, they should let his soul rest in peace. The man slandered, took his own life, and committed a grave sin; it is far better to leave his soul in peace.

It is painful to watch a deceased person being exploited for political gain. Everyone is familiar with the circumstances of this case and everything surrounding it.

Georgian justice and the Georgian state demonstrate one fundamental truth: the justice system calmly follows due process, permits no one to derail the focus or drag proceedings into the political arena, considers evidence objectively, and delivers verdicts. These judgments have been tested time and again before the Strasbourg Court [European Court of Human Rights]. And on every occasion, Georgian justice has proven that it operates with professionalism and fairness,” stated Shalva Papuashvili.