Ivanishvili announces “prosecution” of ex-PM Gakharia, his party members

Bidzina Ivanishvili, the Honorary Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday announced former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and members of his For Georgia party would face trial.

Speaking to Imedi TV, Ivanishvili described Gakharia as “unscrupulous” and said legal preparations to prosecute him had been completed.

“The documents have been arranged at the court level to try him,” Ivanishvili said. He accused Gakharia of aiding the opposition United National Movement, the former ruling force, and suggested he was complicit in efforts to involve Georgia in the Russia-Ukraine war. “We will prove everything in black and white,” he added, calling for severe punishment.

Ivanishvili expressed particular frustration towards Gakharia’s party members, many of whom were once part of the Georgian Dream and entered parliament on the party’s mandate. “Today they imitate and repeat the narrative of the UNM, sometimes even worse. They deserve severe punishment, and I assure you they will receive it,” he said.

Giorgi Gakharia resigned as Prime Minister in February 2021 and went on to establish the For Georgia party. In the 2021 municipal elections, the party placed third behind Georgian Dream and the UNM.