Machalikashvili’s family releases statement

Our emotional statement about the loss of Pankisi contained no other meaning than to stress the problem of the government’s mistrust towards the Gorge, - reads the statement released by Malkhaz Machalikashvili, father of Temirlan Machalikashvili killed in the special operation, in response to his earlier statement made on Iberia TV, according to which, if the "the government will lose the Pankisi Gorge if perpetrators are not punished".

According to Malkhaz Machalikashvili, his statement made on Iberia TV was followed by wrong explanations by some inpiduals and groups.

“From the very beginning, the government started to portray Temirlan as a criminal and declared him guilty. Instead of recognizing their own mistakes and injustice, the government has been trying to discredit Temirlan, which was obviously an attempt to cover the injustice made by them and weaken the public solidarity towards our family.

Obviously, shooting of an innocent young man at this home is concerning not only for our family, but for the whole gorge. For years, all governments have regarded Pankisi as a danger zone and locals have had to prove that we are not terrorists and radicals. This situation was created by the wrong policy of the authorities in the region”, says the statement.

“Thus, our emotional statement made in the media about the loss of Pankisi contained no other meaning than to stress the problem of the government’s mistrust towards the Gorge. Yes, the building of confidence depends on establishing truth in this case and this is so for the whole gorge”.

At the end of the statement, Malkhaz Machalikashvili expresses gratitude and respect to the georgian society.