UNM: BBC investigation ‘largest international scandal’ for ‘Ivanishvili’s Government’

A senior figure in the United National Movement (UNM), Irakli Pavlenishvili, has claimed that the BBC’s recent investigation over alleged of prohibited substance during antigovernmental demonstrations had placed Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, and the Georgian government at the centre of “the biggest international scandal they have ever faced.”

Pavlenishvili said the investigative piece had raised “a very strong suspicion” that Georgian Dream officials may be implicated in crimes defined under international law.

“This is the largest international scandal in which Ivanishvili and his regime have ever been involved,” he said. “That is why their statements are so contradictory - sometimes two or three different narratives appear even within a single comment. This means they know very well that they have committed a crime.”

He added that the BBC investigation provided grounds to suspect Georgian Dream of involvement in an offence recognised by international legal standards.