“This is a very problematic statement, and I will make no further comments. Problematic not for us, but for him. I will not make any more comments out of ethical standards. He held this position before me. There are ethical norms that restrict my ability to speak on this topic.” This is how Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze commented on the controversial publication by his predecessor in office, the imprisoned former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
“I have seen this statement. I do not know what it is about. I know one thing: a specific verdict has been delivered. The rest is entirely a matter for law enforcement agencies.”
Kobakhidze also added that he had spoken the day before with the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, but clarified that they did not touch upon Garibashvili’s letter.
“Yesterday we spoke about various issues. I do not remember whether it was before or after the letter was published. We did not discuss this issue. We held no discussions about it. Substantively, we did not touch upon this topic,” the Prime Minister stated.
As a reminder, on August 17, the imprisoned Irakli Garibashvili released an appeal in which he stated that “as of today, full responsibility for his safety and the safety of his family rests with Bidzina Ivanishvili and the entire government.” The former Prime Minister pledged to publish an expanded letter the following day, on August 18.
