Prepared by Messenger Staff
Zourabichvili Voices Support for Imprisoned Activist and Journalist, Calls Regime 'Weak'
Georgia's fifth president Salome Zourabichvili issued a strong statement in support of imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli and activist Nino Datashvili, saying the government has "laid bare itself" through its treatment of the two women.
Zourabichvili said the authorities are exposing their true character by pursuing what she described as unjust and disproportionate actions.
"Mzia Amaglobeli, Nino Datashvili. The regime has completely laid bare before you. And those people who can justify it and who are not even ashamed have laid bare themselves. Those who do not dare to express even the slightest sympathy," she said.
Zourabichvili pointed to the treatment of both women as evidence of political abuse. "Those who can today not notice this injustice, how the regime is trying to break two women: it asks one to confess to a crime, and prepares the other for a cruel and inhuman punishment."
She expressed confidence that the public would ultimately recognize what is happening and judge it correctly. "Society has the ability to make the right verdict, Mzia and Nino are the winners, and the regime is weak," Zourabichvili said.
Mzia Amaglobeli, a journalist, is awaiting a verdict on charges that have drawn criticism from press freedom groups, while Nino Datashvili, an activist, has been ordered by the court to undergo a 20-day involuntary psychiatric evaluation. Both cases have sparked concern over the state of political freedoms and the rule of law in Georgia.
Lelo's Irakli Kupradze Accuses Ruling Party of Targeted Attacks, Vows to Intensify Pressure
Irakli Kupradze, General Secretary of the opposition party Lelo - Strong Georgia, accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of singling out Lelo as its main political target and vowed that pressure from the opposition would continue to grow.
Kupradze said Georgian Dream's focus on Lelo had become increasingly evident in recent weeks.
"We all know the saying - don't be offended by a donkey's kick - it is already very obvious that, especially recently, the main and I think only target of the Dream has become Lelo - Strong Georgia," he wrote. "Not a day goes without Dream trying to slander and attack Lelo specifically."
Kupradze alleged that the ruling party is trying to silence opposition to protect its interests. "Dream is a party that itself admits that it is completely corrupt. They earn money through call centers, drug trafficking, corruption, and then they choose cases in a mafia-like manner to distribute this money," he claimed.
He argued that the ruling party wants the public to disengage from politics so that it can continue unchecked. "It is understandable that they want the Georgian people to surrender, not to interfere with their corruption, drug trafficking, and taking away the future of the country," he wrote.
Kupradze said that Lelo's growing influence and initiatives were the real reason for the attacks. "It is precisely because of these decisions and effective steps of Lelo that we see Dream's hysteria against Lelo," he stated.
He concluded by promising more pressure on the government. "I can tell you that the pressure against them from our side will only intensify and Tbilisi will definitely become a European capital!"
