Parliament Vice Speaker says United National Movement fears scrutiny of 2008 war betrayal

Sozar Subari, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament and Chair of the People's Power, on Tuesday said what the United National Movement party disliked the most was the exposure of their crimes and acts of betrayal during the August 2008 War.

In his remarks over the work of the Parliament’s Temporary Investigative Commission examining alleged crimes committed by the former United National Movement Government between 2003 and 2012, Subari noted that the Commission hearings have been filled with “blood-chilling stories” of torture in penitentiary institutions, widespread violations of property rights, and the involvement of then-state officials alongside now politically active bankers, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, in these abuses.

“You are well aware that the parliamentary Investigative Commission has started its work, and within the very first days, it has triggered significant agitation among the collective United National Movement [opposition] and their supporters. A campaign of slander and baseless rumors against the Commission and its members has been launched - an obvious attempt to divert attention”, the Vice Speaker said.

“At every session of the Commission, we hear truly blood-chilling stories of how people were tortured in prisons, about total violations of property rights, and how bankers who are now sheltered and transferred into politics - Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze - participated in these violations along with the state”, Subari continued.

He further elaborated on testimonies of severe persecution based on political views, leading to the ruin of individuals, their families, and businesses simply due to their political affiliations.

Subari emphasised that the UNM's greatest discomfort stems from the Commission's scrutiny of their actions and alleged betrayal during the 2008 August War. He accused the opposition of attempting to shield themselves by portraying the Commission's work as being directed against the Georgian army.

“They attempt to portray the Commission’s work as being directed against the Georgian military. But they know very well that the truth is quite the opposite. Since coming to power in 2012, our Government has successfully defended Georgian soldiers and officers in international courts - individuals who had been condemned by the United National Movement”, Subari concluded.