According to Thea Tsulukiani, the Chair of the Parliament’s Investigative Commission, the commission will resend notifications today to the imprisoned opposition leaders Nika Gvaramia, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Giorgi Vashadze, inviting them to participate in the investigative commission remotely. As Tsulukiani explained during the Parliament’s plenary session, it is not ruled out that on Monday, June 30, new cases regarding their non-appearance may be forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia.
“We are resending notifications today to all three of them: Mr. Nika Gvaramia, Mr. Mamuka Khazaradze, and Mr. Giorgi Vashadze. We are doing so again because the notification procedure was already followed when they were free. If we previously offered them to appear in person, today we will offer them the opportunity to participate remotely. Whether this will happen depends on two factors. First, the Penitentiary Service must cooperate with us. I am confident there is no question about this, as the Ministry of Justice and the Penitentiary Service have so far demonstrated exemplary cooperation with the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia and other agencies, and I am sure that on Monday, the Ministry of Justice will assist us in facilitating the participation of the prisoners. The second issue is, as you know, if a prisoner does not agree, they will not leave their cell or participate in the commission. We are far removed from that dark era when a prisoner who refused to leave their cell would be forced to do so under torture. Since those methods have not existed for many years, it depends on their goodwill, desire, and choice. If they decide not to leave their cell and go to the room where the participation equipment is set up, we will discuss this. It is not ruled out that on Monday, new cases regarding their non-appearance will be sent to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, although, as you know, the principle of cumulative sentencing does not apply here, and penalties are absorbed under the principle of absorption. However, there is the concept of repeated offenses, which the judge takes into account,” Tsulukiani stated.
Additionally, according to Tsulukiani, the second questioning of Nika Gvaramia, Giorgi Vashadze, and Mamuka Khazaradze before the investigative commission is scheduled for June 30. As for Giorgi Gakharia, Tsulukiani noted that he is summoned to the commission’s session on July 2.
“Giorgi Gakharia is summoned to the investigative commission on July 2. Likewise, on June 30, Nika Gvaramia, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Giorgi Vashadze are invited to participate in the session from the penitentiary facility,” Tsulukiani stated.
She also mentioned that the commission has questions for Giorgi Gakharia regarding his activities on the international stage between 2012 and 2025.
“Gakharia’s appearance is of interest to us, and we also have questions for him related to the years 2012–2025, specifically regarding his activities on the international stage. I hope that on July 2, Giorgi Gakharia will appear, because, for some reason, I believe he, unlike others, understands that this is a political process alongside a legal one, and non-appearance before the investigative commission also signifies the political demise of the individual in question. Just as not being present here signifies political demise,” Tsulukiani stated.
For reference, Nika Gvaramia was detained on June 13, Mamuka Khazaradze on June 23, and Giorgi Vashadze on June 24 due to their non-appearance before the investigative commission.
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