PM Kobakhidze defends jail sentences for opposition politicians, claims influence of ‘deep state’

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has defended the recent imprisonment of opposition politicians who refused to comply with a parliamentary investigative commission on activities under the previous United National Movement government, insisting that such actions were met with legal sanctions in democratic systems around the world.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Kobakhidze said that the refusal to appear before a parliamentary inquiry constituted a serious offence under Georgian law and likened the penalties to practices in other democratic countries.

“Parliamentary investigation is one of the important tools,” Kobakhidze said. “Accordingly, when disrespect is expressed towards the parliamentary investigative commission, it is confronted with appropriate sanctions in any country. In many cases, these sanctions are stricter than in Georgia, where the maximum penalty is one year of imprisonment.”

His comments come after Lelo – Strong Georgia leaders Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze, as well as Girchi – More Freedom leader Zurab Japaridze, were sentenced to prison terms of up to eight months for refusing to appear before a parliamentary commission. All three were also banned from holding public office for two years.

In his comments, Kobakhidze suggested that the imprisoned opposition leaders were acting under the influence of what he described as the “deep state,” a term he used to refer to foreign or covert political actors allegedly seeking to destabilise Georgia.

“The deep state does not worry about the fate of its agents,” Kobakhidze claimed. “Sometimes they even prefer their agents in prison. When you are an agent of the deep state, you may be forced to violate the law and the constitution, and even go to prison. That’s their fate.”

Kobakhidze also responded directly to questions about former Prime Minister and opposition For Georgia leader Giorgi Gakharia, accusing him of “repeatedly acting against Georgia’s national interests.”

“There were numerous cases where Gakharia took steps that caused serious harm to the country - from the Basiani [night club] case to Pankisi [special operation in the Pankisi Gorge],” he said. “I cannot believe he did this only out of incompetence. He had orders to provoke and harm the country, and these orders came from the deep state.”