The president is ready to sign the release of Giorgi Rurua, the founder of the Mtavari Channel if an agreement is reached between the opposition and the government, and this will be announced by the representatives of the European Union and the United States in Georgia.
The statement was made by Salome Zurabishvili in the Presidential Administration.
"I am surprised by the statement made by the ruling party twice today. The ruling party uses my name and links to one specific pardon topic without my permission and consent. I make decisions despite the expected criticism or praise and only if I deem it necessary; I have already proved this by deeds.
The power of pardon is at the discretion of the President and not the subject of negotiations. I also want it to be clear that the decision to pardon is not subject to any pressure, instructions, or demands, be it from the opposition or the ruling party.
The President does not speak in advance about the pardon and does not disclose the motivation, although I am constantly appealing to others on this topic and due to the current situation, I am forced to state my position in order to stop any speculation.
To me, Rurua - as a person with a well-known past to the whole community, who can be called a lot of things, except a "political prisoner," - does not fit into any category of pardon. Nevertheless, as I have already stepped forward once, I have considered and continue to believe that getting the country out of the political crisis, moving forward towards the future, is the president's duty. It is also the president's duty to put the country above its own views and principles.
With this in mind, I am ready to make a scandalous decision, but I will make it only on my condition - this step should be the last chord to end the crisis and pave the way for the country and parliament to live a normal political life and face challenges.
My decision will be implemented only when the parties sign the final document and enter Parliament, while on the other hand, the representatives of the EU and the US announce that an agreement has been reached.
I will sign the pardon act within a week after these statements, ”Salome Zurabishvili said.
