Tajikistan-Born IT Expert Sentenced for Treason in Russia
Georgian President Denounces Parliamentary Election Results, Alleges Russian Interference
Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has announced that she will not recognize the results of the parliamentary elections held on October 26. In a statement to the media in Tbilisi, Zurabishvili claimed that the country had been the victim of a “Russian special operation,” although she did not provide any evidence to support her allegations.
Zurabishvili, who has broken ties with the ruling Georgian Dream party, declared that the election results could not be recognized as they would signify Georgian subordination to Russia. She called for street protests to begin on October 28, denouncing what she described as a “Russian special operation” targeting the Georgian people.
The Georgian Dream party, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, celebrated a victory in the elections with 54.8 percent of the vote, according to the Central Election Commission. However, the pro-Western opposition and election monitors reported critical violations, including voter intimidation and physical violence.
Western observers have called for an investigation into the alleged irregularities, expressing concerns over the democratic integrity of the elections in Georgia. The European Union had previously highlighted the importance of the elections in determining Georgia’s prospects of joining the bloc.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a supporter of the Georgian Dream leadership, is set to visit Tbilisi amid the controversy surrounding the election results. Opposition parties, including the United National Movement, have declared their intention to contest the outcome of the “stolen election.”
Election monitors from international organizations, such as the OSCE and the Council of Europe, have criticized the voting process on election day, noting instances of vote buying, double voting, and intimidation. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and EU Council President Charles Michel have also raised concerns over the reported irregularities.
The opposition in Georgia has accused the ruling party of promoting Russian disinformation and using tactics to manipulate the election results. The elections were marred by a polarized and restrictive environment, according to European monitoring organizations, with reports of violence and voter intimidation.
Despite the controversy and allegations of interference, the Georgian Dream party has maintained its stronghold on parliament, triggering widespread outrage and calls for further investigation into the electoral process. The opposition parties have rejected the official results, citing discrepancies between exit polls and the reported outcome of the elections.
