Tbilisi: Georgia’s “Amnesty Law” finally got President Salome Zurabichvili’s assent. The President calls the law a human act but passing it by the ruling regime before the election is wrong as it can influence the voters.
The President gave her assent to the law yesterday. Although she called the law a human act that will help many, at the same time she raised a question mark over its timing.
The president stated that the human aspect of the law is undisputed. However Georgian Dream passed it just before the election to influence voters who will exercise their right to vote on October 26 in the election to Parliament.
The office of the President Salome Zurabichvili also issued a press statement. The statement read, “Amnesty is a good human gesture but the decision over this should have been taken much earlier before the election or after the conclusion to ensure a transparent and unbiased election.”
The President said “A large number of convicts and their family members are awaiting amnesty, so she finally signed it.” It is worth noting that the law regarding amnesty was adopted on September 17 this year. ”
As per its provisions any person who has committed crime before July 1, 2024, will be eligible for benefits under this. Moreover the law covers more than 200 articles of Georgia’s criminal code for clemency to convicts.
The ruling party Georgian Dream strongly criticises the ten-day delay in granting assent. GD’s leaders have used this delay to attack the President on many occasions. Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of Parliament launched a direct attack against the President.
He commented “President has eroded the credibility of the office. She thinks no rules apply to her. She sometimes thinks she is above the law.”
The speaker said, several convicts were waiting for amnesty, but due to the president’s delayed decision-making, they had to wait for more time. The President is too lazy and needs to make a quick decision for the national interest.
Many other ruling party leaders also expressed a similar view. They called President biased against the Georgian Dream.
