Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili on Wednesday urged Natia Turnava, an acting head of the National Bank of Georgia, to quit after taking an “unilateral” decision and “accepting the threats” coming from the ruling party to exempt Georgian citizens from international sanctions before the judgment of domestic courts. 

In her briefing, which came after sanctioning of former Prosecutor General Otar Partskhaladze for alleged cooperation with the Russian intelligence, Zourabichvili said she “regretted” Turnava’s appointing to the post, accusing her of creating “serious threats” to the institution’s and the country’s image. 

She also said the Bank’s board could annule the “unacceptable decree” despite the fact three of Turnava’s Vice President’s announced resignation earlier during the day, adding they could be involved in the Bank’s decisions in a period of two months, before official suspension of their power. 

The President also accused Irakli Kobakhidze,the ruling party head -  who on Tuesday said Partskhaladze’s sanctioning without confirming his guilt by domestic courts could be unconstitutional - of exerting pressure on Turnava to take the step “without calling the Bank’s board”.