“He said that he has nothing to talk about with Lelo – Strong Georgia. This is being said by one of the main leaders of a political party that has been presented to the International Criminal Court as an international offender. By doing so, he is shortening his path to the Hague Tribunal,” said the Secretary General of Lelo – Strong Georgia, Irakli Kupradze.

According to Kupradze, Lelo will continue its resistance and struggle based on the simple formula and doctrine of bringing the country out of crisis.

“Papuashvili stated that he has nothing to discuss with Lelo. This is being said by one of the key leaders of a political party that has been presented to the Hague Tribunal as an international offender. He is shortening the road to the Hague Tribunal.

Lelo’s statement follows a very simple doctrine: that Bidzina Ivanishvili and Georgian Dream have led this country into crisis. The way out of the crisis is dialogue on two key issues: the release of political prisoners and new fair parliamentary elections.

In principle, Lelo will continue resistance. In principle, Lelo will continue the struggle with the simple formula and doctrine of bringing the country out of crisis. Ivanishvili has left Georgia without international support. Without international support it will be impossible to defend Georgia’s national interests. Lelo, as a responsible political force that thinks in state terms, will firmly defend the national interests of the citizens of Georgia,” Kupradze said.

For reference, yesterday Lelo – Strong Georgia issued a statement saying that it is necessary to overcome confrontation and begin responsible political negotiations between Georgian Dream and opposition parties.

At a press conference held with party members, Kupradze said that a peaceful, democratic, and state-oriented solution to the political crisis is an agreement on holding new, free, and fair parliamentary elections. He also noted that the release of political prisoners is necessary to reduce political tensions in the country.

In response, the Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, stated that “Lelo has nothing to discuss with us, and we have nothing to discuss with them. They should talk to the Constitutional Court, and some of their members to the criminal court, where cases related to them are being considered.”