Recently, Ms. Salome has been making the kind of statements that she seems to be trying to fit into the narrative of the National Movement - the person is inadequate, nothing more, Georgian Dream MP Irakli Zarkua told reporters when he answered the question whether the President should pardon Mikheil Saakashvili and Nika Gvaramia.

Zarkua does not rule out pardoning the mentioned prisoners by the President, although he says that all people, regardless of their status in society, should serve their sentence.

"Our position is simple that it doesn't matter what status certain persons have in society. When a crime is committed, it is assumed that they should serve the punishment. I am talking about prisoner Saakashvili, as well as prisoner Gvaramia. They have been sentenced on specific charges.

As for President Zurabishvili - what can I tell you, lately Ms. Salome has been making the kind of statements that she seems to be trying to fit into the narrative of the Natio­nal Movement. I was listening to her the other day and I was surprised - she said, Russians came to Georgia by wagons - where did she see the wagon? She is inadequate, nothing more. Although she said "no and never", I still do not rule out [pardoning], based on her recent statements. It is her prerogative and she has the opportunity to do so, but in recent years, Mrs. President has been called illegitimate, shameful, unacceptable. It is an institution that we must take care of and protect, whether we like it or not. Ms. Salome should protect the institution.

What can be seen is that there is a direct attack from non-governmental organizations, including some groups from the West, to force her to pardon them, but there is no basis for pardon - a specific crime has been committed and everyone must serve the punishment," said Irakli Zarkua.

source: IPN