“The pardon of Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze by Georgian Dream was an act meant to discredit us, as if they were linked to us,” Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Lelo – Strong Georgia coalition, criticised the recent pardon of party leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.

According to Elisashvili, it is technically impossible to refuse a presidential pardon.

“We are participating in the elections and will continue the struggle we are in. This decision was a complete disgrace, a manipulative manoeuvre by Georgian Dream – a deliberate attempt to throw mud at us, as if we were somehow connected to them,” he stated, adding that Khazaradze and Japaridze had endured imprisonment without complaints and would have continued to do so.

Elisashvili also responded to social media discussions suggesting the two leaders should refuse the pardon.

“Such a thing is technically impossible, although some people do not understand this. Mamuka and Badri did not ask for release; they sat in prison like men. I repeat—refusing a pardon cannot happen. We will continue our participation in the elections and defeat Georgian Dream at the ballot box,” he said.

President Mikheil Kavelashvili signed the decree pardoning Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.