“He [Mikheil Kavelashvili] knows the positions of the opposition, the government, and the so-called revolutionary committee, and I am confident that he will make the right decision,” said Gia Volski, First Vice-Speaker of Parliament, responding to journalists’ questions about the possible pardon of individuals detained during the protests.

According to Volski, there has been no expression of remorse from those detained at the demonstrations - a prerequisite for a pardon.

“During these processes, radical opposition’s so-called political leaders made very clear statements regarding the pardon of people detained amid extremist actions - that no pardon is acceptable, because those who are currently serving sentences were convicted by an authority they do not recognize. There is no talk of remorse that should lead to a pardon. The statement was that no one will accept any pardon while the struggle continues. This answers everything journalists and the public are interested in today.

In addition to the lack of remorse, there is another serious manipulation by political groups and revolutionary committees, which is propaganda aimed at portraying the situation as if these people did nothing wrong other than demand the continuation of the European course. On the one hand, this is breaking down an open door; on the other, it is pure speculation and self-justification by those serving sentences. They justify themselves by saying: your struggle is right, you are fighting for Europe, and therefore you should be in prison. In other words, they organize the commission of crimes, confrontation with the law, bring these people to the defendant’s bench, then into the penitentiary system, and now turn around and accuse others for unclear reasons.

It is the president’s prerogative whether consultations took place or not. He knows the positions of the opposition, the government, and the revolutionary committee, and I am confident that he will make the right decision,” Volski said.