Ruling party MP accuses UNM of politicising criminal cases, claims foreign diplomats involved

The chairman of Georgia’s Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs, Archil Gorduladze, has accused the opposition United National Movement (UNM) and its affiliates of “systematically politicising” criminal cases involving their members and associates.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Gorduladze criticised what he described as a deliberate strategy by UNM to frame confirmed criminal convictions as politically motivated, regardless of court verdicts or public evidence.

“The collective UNM has found a convenient solution: when their associates or operatives commit crimes - in cases where there are confirmed court rulings or clearly documented evidence - they claim it’s all politically motivated,” Gorduladze said.

He added that this tactic was not limited to high-profile cases such as those of former state fund chief Giorgi Bachiashvili and UNM political council member Lasha Tsanava, both of whom have recently faced criminal charges.

“This approach is nothing new. It's a way to shield their own - party members, affiliated individuals, or even those acting on their behalf. It’s essentially an attempt to buy political indulgence,” Gorduladze claimed.

The MP went further, alleging that efforts to politicise legal proceedings were not only driven domestically but are also supported by certain foreign diplomats and international officials.

“It’s not just local operatives trying to frame these as political cases. Sadly, they’re often backed by foreign diplomats and officials, who lend support under the guise of defending democratic values,” he said.

Gorduladze did not name specific individuals but implied that the phenomenon reflected broader efforts to undermine legal institutions in Georgia through external influence.