There will be no appeal for pardon to the illegitimate president, we will show him the way to the Russian ship, - Lelo Secretary General Irakli Kupradze stated at the briefing, responding to Mikheil Kavelashvili's statement, who suggested that all convicted politicians apply for pardon and confirm their desire to participate in the elections, in which case he will immediately issue an act of pardon.

According to Irakli Kupradze, Mikheil Kavelashvili's statement is a demonstration of Bidzina Ivanishvilii's fears.

“Today we have heard a ridiculous and unfortunate attempt by the illegitimate president of the Russian regime to trade the freedom of political leaders. Our answer is simple, we are not entering into this trade with the Russian regime. Despite the fact that I do not have the opportunity to contact our leaders in prison, due to the time, restrictions and relevant rules that prison institutions have, I, as the Secretary General of Lelo and their friend, know what values Mamuka Khazaradze ​​and Badri Jagparidze live by, what principles and dignity they have, how they defend the interests of the Georgian people and believe in struggle and victory. Without having talked with them, although believing that this is 100% the position of Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Jagparidze, I declare: there will be no appeal for pardon to the illegitimate president. We will show him a way in the direction of the Russian ship. 

This unfortunate attempt by Kavelashvili is a demonstration of Ivanishvilis’s fears, to complicate the opposition’s decision-making ability with moral dilemmas, to fight on all fronts,” Irakli Kupradze said.

Irakli Kupradze also addressed the fifth President of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili

“Let’s make Ivanishvili fulfill his Russian nightmare and ask Madam President to once again try for unity and fulfill the main fear that Ivanishvili and the Russian regime have. Ivanishvili and his gang are obsessed with this fear. Ivanishvili is afraid of unity and Ivanishvili’s afraid of a common battle, where he will be shamefully defeated, and in this battle we demand unity, solidarity. No struggle will make sense if we are unable to hold the main line of unity,” Irakli Kupradze said.

For information, two leaders of Lelo-Strong Georgia - Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze - are in custody. They were found guilty by the court of failing to comply with the request of the temporary investigative commission of the parliament. By the decision of Judge Zviad Sharadze, they were sentenced to 8 months in prison each. In addition, they were banned from holding office for a period of 2 years.