Prime Minister Kobakhidze Accuses Previous Government of Avoiding Accountability for 2008 War
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, August 16, 2024
Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the previous Georgian government of taking deliberate steps to avoid accountability for their actions during the 2008 war. Speaking at a briefing, Kobakhidze emphasized the importance of thoroughly investigating the events surrounding the war, linking them to ongoing concerns about national security.
In response to a question about a recent statement by a Russian representative at the United Nations, Kobakhidze said, "We are not interested in what others say on this topic; it is important for us to establish the truth about the betrayal that was committed in 2008. This is fundamentally important, especially considering that these people are still trying to drag our country into war. They have been trying to do this for over two years now."
Kobakhidze accused the former government of strategically removing legal provisions that could have held them accountable for their actions during the war. "It is an interesting detail that probably also needs to be investigated-shortly before the war, they initiated a bill to remove the record of treason from the Criminal Code, and shortly after the end of the war, about a month later, they passed this law," he explained.
According to the Prime Minister, these legal changes were motivated by fear of prosecution. "They were so afraid of their own committed crime and responsibility for this crime of treason that they removed the record of treason both from the Criminal Code and, by the way, from the Constitution. Imagine how much fear they had for the betrayal they had committed against their own people and their own country," Kobakhidze remarked. "These details are definitely worth investigating."
He further argued that the investigation is crucial not only for understanding the past but also for preventing future conflicts. "Punishing this political force for a crime is especially important for prevention, so that if they do not commit a similar crime in the future, they will not have the resources to do so," Kobakhidze stated. He expressed confidence that the Georgian people would not allow such actions to be repeated, saying, "In no case will the Georgian people grant them this mandate."
