Gigi Tsereteli: The arrest of Zurab Japaridze will very quickly lead to the finalization of the “MEGABARI Act,” Trump’s signature, and will practically define U.S. policy – this is nothing but a step toward Russia

The arrest of Zurab Japaridze will very quickly lead to the finalization of the “MEGABARI Act” and its signing by Trump, and will practically define U.S. policy — said Gigi Tsereteli, leader of “European Georgia,” on Palitra News' program Free Studio.

According to Tsereteli, such steps taken by the government are incompatible with European integration.

“When you take such steps, it is incompatible with European integration or any expected alignment with the United States. I don’t know — maybe this is also a test, as they wait to see what the reaction will be and how strong it is. I believe that the arrest of Zurab Japaridze, and the continuation of everything in the same direction, will very quickly result in the MEGABARI Act being finalized and signed by Trump, and it will practically shape U.S. policy.

Everyone is pointing out that it’s unthinkable for such things to happen in a country that claims to be moving toward European integration. This is a step taken solely in the direction of Russia,” said Tsereteli.

According to Tsereteli, if the government’s goal is to maintain a partnership with the West, then Japaridze’s arrest is “inexplicable” and the opposite decisions must be made.

“Senator Rubio stated very clearly that Georgia is being assessed, and a decision will be made soon. The current Georgian government is speeding up that process. The arrest of Zurab Japaridze will accelerate it even further in the U.S. — if the decision has already been made to sever all ties with the West and the U.S. as quickly as possible, then that hardly needs explanation. But it is inexplicable if the supposed goal is to maintain a partnership while such anti-democratic and autocratic actions are taking place.

If the current de facto government still needs a relationship with the West and has not made a final decision to realign Georgia with Russia, then it must start making opposite decisions. Otherwise, we are headed for even more dramatic developments — and they certainly won’t end well,” said Gigi Tsereteli.