President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili has pardoned the leaders of the party Strong Georgia – Lelo, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze

As stated in the announcement published on the official Facebook page of the President of Georgia, despite various circumstances, the president made this decision so that no one could claim that the local self-government elections are being held under conditions of limited competitiveness.

“Yesterday, the registration process for electoral subjects to participate in the local self-government elections was completed. Among the registered political unions is the party Strong Georgia – Lelo, whose leaders are currently serving sentences in a penitentiary facility for a specific crime.

Undoubtedly, the local self-government elections would still take place in a competitive environment even while they remain in custody. At the same time, it is important to emphasize that, in general, elections should not become an indulgence for any politician who commits crimes. Nor should it be ignored that several weeks ago the respective prisoners rejected my proposal for a pardon, thereby attempting to insult the institution of the presidency.

However, despite all the above-mentioned circumstances, in order to remove even the slightest pretext for anyone to claim that the local self-government elections are being conducted under limited competitiveness, I made the decision to pardon the two convicted individuals — Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze. I express the hope that in the future they will continue their political activities with respect for the law.

I call on all electoral subjects to contribute to holding the local self-government elections in a healthy and peaceful environment. I wish success to all electoral subjects who participate in the elections with a sincere spirit of developing municipalities and serving the interests of the population,” the statement by the President of Georgia Mikheil Kavelashvili reads.