The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia has initiated an investigation concerning the parliamentary elections and has summoned President Salome Zourabichvili for questioning. According to the General Prosecutor's Office, the investigation was prompted by an appeal from the Central Election Commission. The case has been initiated under Article 164³ of the Criminal Code, which pertains to election fraud.
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"As per the announcement from the CEC and the information circulated in the public domain through the mass media, the President of Georgia, Salome Zourabichvili, must have evidence regarding the possible falsification of the 2024 parliamentary elections. This is why, in accordance with the law, the President of Georgia has been summoned to the investigative agency for questioning on October 31 of this year.
The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia will conduct all necessary investigative and procedural actions as specified in the CEC's order. At the same time, the office aims to examine the facts presented by the President of Georgia, individual political parties, and representatives of observation missions. As part of the investigation, all individuals who may have information related to the alleged criminal activity will be interrogated," announced the General Prosecutor's Office.
The CEC addressed the Prosecutor's Office yesterday, October 29. The election administration considers the statements made by the President and representatives of the opposition political parties regarding election fraud to be unfounded, asserting that they are attempting to damage the reputation of the CEC with "groundless accusations."
"Accusations of 'alleged falsification' of the elections by these politicians have already gained widespread attention. To determine whether the statements made by the President of Georgia, politicians, or any interested parties are true, as well as the information disseminated regarding election fraud, a comprehensive and objective investigation is necessary - one that is beyond the capacity of the election administration. Based on this, we propose that the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia initiate and conduct an investigation into the aforementioned statements," the CEC's appeal stated.
As per CEC data, Georgian Dream received nearly 54% of the votes in the parliamentary elections. The opposition parties that surpassed the electoral threshold - Coalition for Change (11%), Unity - National Movement (10%), Strong Georgia (8.8%), and Gakharia for Georgia (7.7%) - do not recognize the legitimacy of this result. One of their main demands is for an international investigation. During a rally held on Rustaveli Avenue on October 28, opposition members called for new elections to be conducted by the International Election Administration.
President Salome Zourabichvili also believes that the elections were "totally falsified." She stated that "all known resources of forgery" were employed, including new technologies."
