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The News in Brief

Monday, July 22, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff

Georgian Dream Leaders Meet with IRI Observation Mission Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

Irakli Kobakhidze, as a head of the election headquarters for Georgian Dream, along with key parliamentary committee chairs Nikoloz Samkharadze, Maka Bochorishvili, and Givi Mikanadze, met with the International Republican Institute (IRI) observation mission, the Georgian Dream party reported.

The meeting, which included 20 long-term observers, focused on the upcoming October 26 parliamentary elections and the overall election environment.

Discussions highlighted the new election legislation, the importance of international observation missions, and the current political climate in Georgia. Kobakhidze assured that the government is committed to ensuring free and fair elections, as in previous years. He emphasized the invitation extended to both short-term and long-term missions from various reputable international organizations to monitor the elections. Kobakhidze reiterated his commitment to open and active cooperation with international observers.

The session with the IRI long-term observation mission concluded with a question-and-answer segment, facilitating an in-depth exchange on election-related matters.



Sheltering a Criminal is Not a European Value, Says Georgian Parliament Chairman

Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, has criticized the European Union for providing refuge to Davit Kezerashvili, who has been found guilty by Georgian courts of embezzling funds from the Georgian army. In a social media post, Papuashvili emphasized that harboring a criminal contradicts the European values as understood by Georgians.

"When we talk about European values, let's not forget that Davit Kezerashvili, who is known to be guilty of stealing money from the Georgian army by all courts, is taking refuge in the European Union," Papuashvili wrote. "As he himself said, with the money stolen from the army, he finances parties, NGOs, and the media in Georgia. Sheltering a criminal is not a European value, as we Georgians understand it."