"An admitted corruption charge will serve as an insurance policy to ensure you don't even think about returning to politics"—this is the contents of a text published by former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who is currently in custody. According to his claim, this letter was sent to him on the instructions of Bidzina Ivanishvili.
The letter to which the former Prime Minister responded addresses a proposed compromise solution and conditions for stepping away from politics:
"Supporters like Dito Chubinidze, Irma Inashvili, and organized social media campaigns have raised very serious doubts and damaged us severely. Intensive work is underway on several cases, the likely outcomes of which will be corruption charges. Therefore, two options exist for our course of action: 1. Fight this seriously and push all the way to the end. 2. (The second option was proposed by them as a compromise solution)—confess (take responsibility) for one specific case, where everything will be settled by mutual agreement, including the confession, testimony implicating you from witnesses, etc. In this case, they offer a plea bargain with the same 5-year term—meaning, as it was explained to me, the sentences will run concurrently and it will remain 5 years. After release, I must stay away from politics, and if you 'decide to betray,' the corruption charge you admitted to will serve as an insurance policy to ensure you don't even think about returning to politics."
In parallel with releasing the letter, Irakli Garibashvili states that "as of today, Bidzina Ivanishvili and the entire government bear full responsibility for the safety of myself and my family." He also announced that he will issue a detailed address tomorrow.
"This letter was sent to me on the instructions of Bidzina Ivanishvili. I tried everything and did my utmost not to take this step, but unfortunately, they left me no choice but to stand up to this humiliating evil! This ruthless cruelty, oppression, injustice, and dirty plan to destroy me and my family! Tomorrow I will issue a detailed statement and tell the public my truth! As of today, full responsibility for my safety and that of my family rests on Bidzina Ivanishvili and the entire government!" reads the former Prime Minister's statement.
