Kakha Kaladze, General Secretary of Georgian Dream and Tbilisi Mayor, spoke about the presidential pardon of the leaders of Lelo – Strong Georgia, saying: “The President pardoned two criminals—if they want to lock themselves up and not come out, no one is forcing them.”
Kaladze described President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s decision as a humanitarian act.
“The decision made by the President is a humanitarian act. He pardoned two criminals. In general, I don’t take pleasure in anyone being sent to prison—why would anyone rejoice in someone’s imprisonment? But there should be more respect for state institutions. What does it mean to [pardon] against their will? If they want to lock themselves up and not come out, no one is forcing them. The President has the authority to make such a decision. He explained the purpose, and released the leaders of the political parties participating in the elections. It’s very simple,” Kaladze stated.
For context, President Kavelashvili pardoned Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze of the Lelo – Strong Georgia party. “Despite various circumstances, the President made this decision to ensure that no one has even the slightest pretext to claim that the local self-government elections are being held under conditions of limited competitiveness,” he said.
Image: IPN
