“Ivanishvili, like Cronus, is devouring his own children; we are witnessing political cannibalism. This has nothing to do with corruption - it is an ordinary sacrifice for power,” said Tazo Datunashvili, a member of “Lelo – Strong Georgia,” commenting on the detention of former Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Garibashvili.

According to him, the founder of Georgian Dream, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has demonstratively shown the Georgian public that “he is ready to do anything to retain power.”

“We are witnessing political cannibalism. Ivanishvili is making a very clear demonstration to all of Georgia that he is ready to do anything to hold on to power. Like Cronus, he has set out to devour his own children. This is a demonstrative gesture for all of Georgia - not only for representatives of Georgian Dream, but for everyone. The message is that even his most prominent, hand-raised cadre, whom he nurtured like a son, will be ‘devoured’ if that is what it takes to keep power. Accordingly, no one is immune from being sacrificed to Ivanishvili’s continued rule. This has nothing to do with corruption; it is simply a sacrifice for power. Justice has nothing to do with it - as a result of internal ‘clan’ infighting, a victim is identified and then sacrificed demonstratively, for all of Georgia to see. Searching for any additional political meaning here is an utterly thankless task,” Datunashvili said.

For reference, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia reached a plea agreement with former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and sentenced him to five years of imprisonment. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Garibashvili was also ordered to pay an additional fine of 1 million GEL, and funds obtained through criminal activity, as well as money seized during the search of his residence, will be confiscated.