Opposition leader accuses ruling party of “betrayal” over war claims

Nika Gvaramia, a leader of the Coalition for Changes, on Thursday condemned the ruling Georgian Dream party for its recent statement blaming former President Mikheil Saakashvili for the 2008 war.

Gvaramia, the former official under Saakashvili’s presidency, described the claims as a “betrayal” and a “factual and legal lie,” asserting that they were intended to absolve Russia of responsibility for the conflict.

In a statement, Gvaramia criticized Georgian Dream for suggesting that Saakashvili’s actions were part of an “externally orchestrated betrayal rather than a result of his own decisions” and argued such accusations were not supported by any international bodies and undermined Georgia’s position on the global stage.

Gvaramia called for a public legal process to address what he viewed as a traitorous policy by Georgian Dream and emphasized that Saakashvili’s role in the non-recognition policy was “pivotal” and criticized the current government’s “attempts to shift blame onto him”.

“The accusation that Georgia started the war is a betrayal,” Gvaramia stressed. “This is an attempt to justify Russia’s actions and damage Georgia’s international standing.”

He demanded the issue be investigated publicly to hold Georgian Dream accountable for its alleged treachery.