Gov’t ready to pardon protesters convicted of violence if they repent and confess, PM

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the government remains ready to take measures that could allow people convicted over violence during protests to leave prison if they acknowledge their crimes and show remorse.

Speaking to journalists in Batumi on Friday, Kobakhidze said the government’s position had not changed and that the relevant measures would be applied when individuals formally appeal to the appropriate authorities.

“Our message is that if someone repents and acknowledges their crime, the appropriate measures will be taken in relation to them. Specifically, the relevant individuals will leave prison, regardless of how serious the crime they committed at the time was. I am referring to the violence they used during the protests,” Kobakhidze said.

He said the government would continue to respond to individual applications made to the relevant agencies.

“This position of ours remains in force,” the prime minister said.

Kobakhidze also criticised opposition groups for objecting to the release of people from prison, arguing that this demonstrated what he described as their “real objective”.

“When these radicals, this foreign agency, are unhappy about people being released and leaving prison, that in itself shows what their real goal is. Their only goal is radicalisation and further escalation of polarisation. We have a different agenda,” he said.

Kobakhidze separately rejected the term “prisoners of conscience” in relation to those imprisoned over the protests.

“There are no prisoners of conscience. There are prisoners who were involved in violence, and despite the fact that their crimes are quite serious in nature, we are ready to forgive each of them if they show remorse and acknowledge their crimes,” Kobakhidze said.

He described this as a “clear position” already expressed by the government and said it remained in force.