Giorgi Sharashidze: The "Georgian Dream" hysteria proves that the facts presented in the BBC investigation are very close to the truth - we will work to ensure both international and local investigations take place; this case cannot be left as it is
“The hysteria of ‘Georgian Dream’ confirms that the facts presented in the BBC journalistic investigation are very close to the truth,” Giorgi Sharashidze, an MP from the “For Georgia – Giorgi Gakharia” party, said on PalitraNews’ program 360 Degrees.
Sharashidze noted that his party will use both international channels and parliamentary mechanisms to ensure the case is properly investigated.
“At this stage, we have parliamentary levers, we have international connections, and naturally, using these tools, we will work to ensure that both an international investigation and, in parallel, a local investigation are carried out - whether through a parliamentary investigative commission or some other mechanism. We will make a decision tomorrow and inform the public. The fact is, this case cannot be left as it is - and I am certain it will not be. The hysteria of ‘Georgian Dream’ shows that the facts presented in the BBC investigation are very close to the truth,” said Sharashidze.
Sharashidze also stated that the inventory check at the Ministry of Internal Affairs was conducted at the end of 2019, when Giorgi Gakharia was no longer Minister of Internal Affairs.
“Merabishvili purchased it, Gomelauri used it - what does Gakharia have to do with it now? What exactly do we want to learn from him?
I inquired about the issue, and if I’m not mistaken, the inventory was conducted at the end of 2019, when Giorgi Gakharia was no longer Minister of Internal Affairs. As far as I know, that is the case. However, I don’t think this has any direct connection to the fact of the purchase, the buyer, or the person who ultimately used it,” Sharashidze explained.
When asked whether an inventory was not conducted during Gakharia’s term and therefore he might not have known about the presence of the (prohibited) chemical substances, Sharashidze responded: “It is not excluded that he didn’t know.”
“I don’t understand why there is such an intense focus on Giorgi Gakharia. I repeat again: the fact is that it was purchased under Merabishvili and used under Gomelauri. If Gakharia knows something, I am absolutely sure that, for the sake of public interest and due to the high level of public importance, he will say it - I have no doubt about that. But I also do not rule out that he simply may not have known. It is possible to be in a situation where you are unaware of certain information. During the inventory check, he was no longer the Minister of Internal Affairs,” Sharashidze said.
