Ivanishvili must stop using repressive legislation, abolish this legislation, open the democratic process, the political process, including for the opposition, and this will determine what actions will follow in the future from the United States and the Trump administration, - this was stated by the General Secretary of “Lelo - Strong Georgia,” Irakli Kupradze. He responded to the statement released by the US Embassy, in which concern was expressed about the Georgian government’s Directorate for Combating Hate Speech.

Kupradze believes that if the founder and honorary chairman of “Georgian Dream” does not change his behavior and does not abolish the repressive legislation, he will have to take responsibility.

“Ivanishvili will have to take the appropriate responsibility for this repressive legislation, repressive actions, and anti-Georgian activities. This responsibility will not really be a gift for Ivanishvili. The Trump administration is already warning Ivanishvili and the ‘anti-Georgian Dream’ for the umpteenth time that Bidzina Ivanishvili and his anti-Georgian team will not get away with these crimes so dryly without responsibility. It is clear that these warnings will not continue for long and Ivanishvili will have to change his ‘pattern’ of behavior. This should first of all be the abolition of the repressive legislation, this should be forgetting about the ban on parties and returning all processes to a political framework, a legal framework,” - Kupradze stated.

For reference, as the US Embassy told Radio Liberty, they firmly oppose censorship and those restrictive laws that are used to silence people with undesirable views. The Embassy made this statement in response to a question asked in the context of the detention of journalist Vakho Sanaia.

“We are concerned about the Georgian government’s Directorate for Combating Hate Speech. The best response to lies and false views is more freedom of speech, not enforced silence,” - the statement says.