Georgia’s ruling party: 2008 war was pre-planned betrayal orchestrated from abroad

Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party on Tuesday accused former President Mikheil Saakashvili of “deliberately provoking” the August 2008 war with Russia as part of a “well-planned and externally orchestrated betrayal”, rather than a result of spontaneous actions or “mental instability”.

In its statement, the party asserted Saakashvili’s actions during the conflict were allegedly driven by outside orders rather than impulsive decision-making. The claims were released following an interview with Heidi Tagliavini, the head of the International Commission of Inquiry into the August 2008 war, conducted by journalist Vazha Tavberidze for the Georgian bureau of Radio Liberty.

Georgian Dream emphasized that Tagliavini’s report, which examined the causes and consequences of the 2008 conflict, effectively served as a “verdict” against Saakashvili’s United National Movement (UNM).

According to the party, the report clearly outlined that Russia’s military intervention was a response to an armed conflict initiated by Georgia. Specifically, the report noted that Russia’s legal justification for entering Georgian territory was bolstered by the Georgian military’s attack on peacekeeping forces in the Tskhinvali region, which operated under a mandate recognized by Georgia.

The ruling party accused Saakashvili’s government of accepting Tagliavini’s report despite its damning conclusions, arguing that the acceptance demonstrated a deliberate betrayal of the nation. Georgian Dream further highlighted that Saakashvili and his officials openly admitted to launching a military offensive in the Tskhinvali region to restore constitutional order. The offensive, according to the statement, created the legal pretext for Russia’s subsequent military response, which led to the occupation of Georgian territories.

The party also criticized the UNM for attempting to suppress discussions about the origins of the 2008 war, despite having previously acknowledged their role by signing a European Council resolution and agreeing to Tagliavini’s findings. Georgian Dream contended that since coming to power in 2004, Saakashvili had engaged in a series of provocations, but it was not until August 7, 2008, that Russia found a “legal basis” for military intervention.

Concluding the statement, Georgian Dream called for legal proceedings to hold those responsible for what they described as “the gravest treason” accountable, asserting that justice was necessary to ensure long-term peace and stability in Georgia.