Before the start of the 2008 war, the 'United National Movement' regime abolished the article on treason from the Criminal Code – from today's perspective, this is absolutely clear because this regime was literally planning to betray its own country," said Davit Matikashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, in a statement to journalists.

According to him, the article on treason will be reinstated in the Criminal Code, defining the actions that will be considered as treason against the homeland.

"The public remembers that before the start of the 2008 war, the 'United National Movement' regime abolished the article on state treason, also known as treason against the homeland, from the Criminal Code. From today's perspective, this is absolutely clear because this regime was literally planning to betray its own country – something they had, in principle, done before as well. However, the events of 2008 clearly highlight this reality. There was a whole cascade of betrayals that put our country in an extremely difficult situation, allowing the occupier to seize 20% of our territory and significantly complicating the issue of restoring territorial integrity. All of this, of course, resulted in the loss of human lives and severe consequences for the country’s economic development.

However, it was not only 2008 – there are numerous other clear instances of betrayal by the 'United National Movement,' including the sale of important energy assets to Russia after the war, among other things. In fact, the parliamentary investigative commission is currently working on these issues and will further clarify the acts of betrayal committed by the 'United National Movement.' The article on treason will be reinstated in the Criminal Code, defining what actions will be considered as treason against the country and the homeland," said Matikashvili.