Saba Buadze: Our leaders do not believe that their imprisonment will weaken the regime — The regime will face a bigger problem when our leaders are free. Therefore, reducing the issue of bail to a question of consistency is simply harmful

“Paying bail doesn’t free anyone from the threat of imprisonment. The risk remains. So how someone makes their decision depends on them. This topic has been artificially brought into the public discourse. We need to refocus and stop debating with each other. Instead, we should continue making decisions aimed at weakening this regime” - Saba Buadze, one of the leaders of “Lelo/Strong Georgia,” made this statement on PalitraNews' program “Day’s Newsroom.”

He emphasized that paying bail does not equate to release from imprisonment, as the risk of imprisonment remains in effect. According to him, this is an artificially introduced issue in the political agenda and should not distract from the main goal — weakening the regime.

“Paying bail doesn’t free anyone from the threat of imprisonment. The risk remains. So how someone makes their decision depends on them. This topic has been artificially brought into the public discourse. We need to refocus and stop debating with each other. Instead, we should continue making decisions aimed at weakening this regime.”

Buadze stated that deciding whether to pay bail is an individual and tactical decision, and trying to frame it in terms of consistency or inconsistency is damaging.

“This is not a matter of consistency. Zurab Japaridze made a very correct and dignified statement today — that the decision to pay bail should not be judged as more or less principled. It is a personal, tactical decision, and each person approaches it differently. Most importantly, paying bail does not free you from imprisonment. The threat is still there. It depends on each person's circumstances and judgment.

Our leaders believe that we should not make things easier for the regime. We must aim to create maximum discomfort. Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze believe they can create more discomfort for the regime by being outside prison, not behind bars. Therefore, it’s a personal decision each person must make.

What matters most is making decisions that weaken the regime. Our leaders do not believe their imprisonment will weaken the regime. On the contrary, they believe the regime faces a bigger problem when our leaders are out, actively engaging with the public and continuing their political work. So, reducing this issue to consistency or inconsistency — no matter who does it — is simply harmful. Artificially introducing this division into the process is absolutely unnecessary and damaging.”

Regarding the parliamentary investigative commission, Buadze said that participating in its sessions is equivalent to being complicit in betrayal, which is why opposition politicians, including their leaders, refused to take part.

“This commission is actively attacking our army, our soldiers, the idea of national independence — all to prepare the ground for apologizing to Russia, the country that committed genocide against us and has played a major role in Georgia’s suffering. Participating in this commission’s work is tantamount to being complicit in betrayal. That’s why our leaders and other politicians, including Zurab ‘Girchi’ Japaridze, refused to join. And now we are witnessing the shameful persecution they are facing.”

He also addressed a question about Georgian Dream and the recent statement made by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, saying it confirms that under the current government, there will be no reset in relations with the United States.

“The new administration must eliminate any ambiguity. Our Western partners are sending clear messages to Georgian society and the international community. Sanctions policy must continue.”

“Rubio’s statement confirms that no reset of U.S. relations will happen under Georgian Dream. We must communicate this clearly to the public — under the current government, Georgia's international isolation will deepen or at best remain unchanged. This means we won’t be able to deepen ties with our partners or progress toward EU membership. There is no such opportunity while this treacherous force is in power.

What should our partners do? Eliminate ambiguity and communicate clearly with the Georgian public and the world. These messages must come through direct statements and concrete actions. And what’s the main tool to achieve this? To continue and expand sanctions against the enemies and opponents of the Georgian people. The full force of these sanctions must be felt by the illegitimate regime and its supporters. Sanctions policy must go on. Our partners should make it absolutely clear to the world that under Georgian Dream, relations with Georgia will only deteriorate, with no reset possible — as proven both by Rubio’s statement and the passage of the ‘MEGOBARI Act.’”

For context:

In response to a question about Georgian Dream, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio stated:

“We ask ourselves: is it in our interest to have an anti-American government in charge in an important part of the world? If not, we will take appropriate action to ensure that this government pays a price.”