The News in Brief
Thursday, August 29
Georgian president calls on CEC to not hinder registration of former FM to run for election
Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili asked the Central Election Commission (CEC) not to hinder the registration of former Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili as a candidate for participation in the country's presidential election. Saakashvili made this statement after it became clear that Zurabishvili will arrive in Tbilisi by the end of this week to submit an application for participation in the presidential elections.
The former foreign minister possibly may not be registered in the Georgian CEC, as she has dual citizenship. "We made every effort in the last election to give an opportunity to Bidzina Ivanishvili who only has French citizenship to take part in the presidential elections, as it was prohibited by the law and we gave EU citizens the right to run. We changed the law and the Constitution for this. We shouldn't do it in this case. It is necessary that the nation decides whom they want," the Georgian president noted. To date, around 36 applications for participation in the presidential election were submitted to the Georgian CEC. Officially two candidates have been registered so far. Registration is due to be finalized by September 17. All applicants should submit 27,350 signatures from their supporters. The presidential election in Georgia will be held on October 27. (Trend.az)
Mikheil Saakashvili – I’m not Ivanishvili’s zebra for him to catch and cage
The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili commented about his Bloomberg interview with journalists. As the president noted, Medvedev and Putin will be happy if anyone imprisons him. “Putin has many times said that Saakashvili is dead. Medvedev and Putin said that they will be happy if anyone imprisons Saakashvili. As while I’m walking alive and free, Putin will never restore the old position in the post Soviet space. This influence collapsed after 2008. One of the leaders of the CIS states dared not to bow in front of him. While I’m alive and free, no post soviet leader will be back in an environment, where they followed Russia’s indications without a fight. This has changed in the last years and the Georgian people did this, the policy of freedom,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.
“It’s beyond any doubt that Ivanishvili took two billion dollars from Russia during the elections. He doesn’t deny this and even if he does, there’s no sense, as Russians confirm this every time. Who will jail who? I’m not Ivanishvili’s zebra for him to catch and cage or any other domestic animal. One thing is their wish and the other what will be in reality. The reality will be that the Georgian people will give everyone their place. As for me, history will judge me and not a Zoo Director,” Mikheil Saakashvili said. (IPN)
Vano Merabishvili case delayed till October 1
The discussion of former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili's case was cancelled till October 1.
“Unfortunately, the Prosecutor’s Office once again demanded the postponement of the case instituted over the events that unfolded on May 26. The session fixed for September 5, was now delayed until October 1. This is the second time where the Prosecutor’s Office has made the court to cancel the session. This case has been instituted against me on entirely groundless charges. I think that precisely the lack of proper evidence make them to delay the process again and again”, reads Merabishvili’s statement. (IPN)
Official is detained for bribery
The officers of Anti-corruption Agency, as a result of operative-searching and investigative activities, have exposed facts of bribery, perpetrated by Kabit Babaev, who is an employee of the military recruitment and registration service of the Gardabani local municipality. At this moment, he is under arrest.
It was established by the investigation that employee of the military recruitment and registration service, Kabait Babaev, by means of misusing official authority and for his own benefit, demanded 300 GEL from a Gardabani resident in return for temporary certificate on compulsory military service.
The investigation is being conducted by the Anti-corruption Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, under Article 338 I part of the Criminal Code. The committed crime envisages 6 to 9 years of imprisonment. (Mia.gov.ge)
Georgian president Mikheil Saakashvili asked the Central Election Commission (CEC) not to hinder the registration of former Foreign Minister Salome Zurabishvili as a candidate for participation in the country's presidential election. Saakashvili made this statement after it became clear that Zurabishvili will arrive in Tbilisi by the end of this week to submit an application for participation in the presidential elections.
The former foreign minister possibly may not be registered in the Georgian CEC, as she has dual citizenship. "We made every effort in the last election to give an opportunity to Bidzina Ivanishvili who only has French citizenship to take part in the presidential elections, as it was prohibited by the law and we gave EU citizens the right to run. We changed the law and the Constitution for this. We shouldn't do it in this case. It is necessary that the nation decides whom they want," the Georgian president noted. To date, around 36 applications for participation in the presidential election were submitted to the Georgian CEC. Officially two candidates have been registered so far. Registration is due to be finalized by September 17. All applicants should submit 27,350 signatures from their supporters. The presidential election in Georgia will be held on October 27. (Trend.az)
Mikheil Saakashvili – I’m not Ivanishvili’s zebra for him to catch and cage
The President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili commented about his Bloomberg interview with journalists. As the president noted, Medvedev and Putin will be happy if anyone imprisons him. “Putin has many times said that Saakashvili is dead. Medvedev and Putin said that they will be happy if anyone imprisons Saakashvili. As while I’m walking alive and free, Putin will never restore the old position in the post Soviet space. This influence collapsed after 2008. One of the leaders of the CIS states dared not to bow in front of him. While I’m alive and free, no post soviet leader will be back in an environment, where they followed Russia’s indications without a fight. This has changed in the last years and the Georgian people did this, the policy of freedom,” Mikheil Saakashvili said.
“It’s beyond any doubt that Ivanishvili took two billion dollars from Russia during the elections. He doesn’t deny this and even if he does, there’s no sense, as Russians confirm this every time. Who will jail who? I’m not Ivanishvili’s zebra for him to catch and cage or any other domestic animal. One thing is their wish and the other what will be in reality. The reality will be that the Georgian people will give everyone their place. As for me, history will judge me and not a Zoo Director,” Mikheil Saakashvili said. (IPN)
Vano Merabishvili case delayed till October 1
The discussion of former Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili's case was cancelled till October 1.
“Unfortunately, the Prosecutor’s Office once again demanded the postponement of the case instituted over the events that unfolded on May 26. The session fixed for September 5, was now delayed until October 1. This is the second time where the Prosecutor’s Office has made the court to cancel the session. This case has been instituted against me on entirely groundless charges. I think that precisely the lack of proper evidence make them to delay the process again and again”, reads Merabishvili’s statement. (IPN)
Official is detained for bribery
The officers of Anti-corruption Agency, as a result of operative-searching and investigative activities, have exposed facts of bribery, perpetrated by Kabit Babaev, who is an employee of the military recruitment and registration service of the Gardabani local municipality. At this moment, he is under arrest.
It was established by the investigation that employee of the military recruitment and registration service, Kabait Babaev, by means of misusing official authority and for his own benefit, demanded 300 GEL from a Gardabani resident in return for temporary certificate on compulsory military service.
The investigation is being conducted by the Anti-corruption Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, under Article 338 I part of the Criminal Code. The committed crime envisages 6 to 9 years of imprisonment. (Mia.gov.ge)