Georgia’s Culture Minister, who previously served as the country’s Minister of Justice, Tea Tsulukiani has criticized the US’ former Ambassador to Georgia Ian Kelly, calling him an “outspoken supporter” of the “criminal regime of the United National Movement opposition,” which was in power for nine years, until 2012.
Tsulukiani said on Friday that Kelly “has nothing to do with the foreigners and his compatriots who really care about the fate of Georgia.”
“Mr. Ian Kelly has been an outspoken supporter and still supports the political group which while in power (2003-2012) considered a judge as an adjunct to the Attorney General, tortured and raped prisoners, sentenced hundreds of minors, including girls, to many years in prsion, and instead of building state institutions, was creating an illusion of democracy,” Tsulukiani said in response to recent critical commens of Kelly over “backsliding of Georgia’s democracy and the position of the Georgian Dream authorities” towards the ongoing Russia’s war in Ukraine.
She cited Kelly as saying that he had a close cooperation with Tsulukiani while chairing the country’s Justice Ministry.
“However, I can neither call this relationship friendly nor pleasant. This was a certain exchange of views around various legislative reforms,” Tsulukiani suggested.
She stated that as ambassador Kelly acted as a defender of the United National Movement and its affiliates.
“In doing so, he was actively involved in Georgian politics and influenced the formation of the attitudes of the Georgian electorate,” Tsulukiani said.
The minister said that after resignation Kelly remained the “devoted supporter” of the “criminal regime.”
Kelly held the ambassador’s position in Georgia between 2015 and 2018. He completed his 33-year diplomatic career in Georgia.
