Irakli Kirtskhalia: No Former or Current Politician Can Be Granted Immunity in Fight Against Corruption

No former or current politician, public official or representative of any profession can be granted immunity when it comes to fighting corruption, Irakli Kirtskhalia, leader of the parliamentary majority and chairman of the Georgian Dream faction in parliament, said on Rustavi 2.

“There can be no immunity in the fight against corruption for any former or current politician, political officeholder or representative of any profession whether a journalist, doctor or police officer,” Kirtskhalia said.

Asked whether Georgian Dream had been politically damaged by the imprisonment of a former leader of the ruling party and a number of former senior officials, Kirtskhalia acknowledged that such developments were unpleasant for the party but rejected the suggestion that they had weakened it. Instead, he argued that they demonstrated the ruling team’s strength.

“I have often been asked this question, as have my colleagues, both on television and through other forms of communication. I would say the opposite. After so many years, when a political team remains strong and has a democratic model of governance that allows it to renew itself, a decision to take such steps demonstrates the strength of that team,” he said.

Kirtskhalia said the public understood that a declared policy of combating corruption must apply consistently, including when cases involve individuals previously associated with the ruling party.

“If we say that we have a clearly stated policy in different areas, including one of the most important the fight against corruption then taking such decisions is, of course, unpleasant for us as a team. But I cannot agree that this damages the party,” he said.

“What would damage the team is covering for someone, granting special treatment to one person while treating the same conduct as a crime when committed by someone else,” Kirtskhalia added.