I want to express a huge outrage regarding today’s arrest of Samegrelo Zemo Svaneti Governor, Tengiz Gunava in the wake of so called “restoration of justice” which is apparently going on in our country. Our society is aware that Mr. Gunava has been persecuted by the new government for a long time, they even planted a weapon, narcotics and pressed him in various ways, including the court, however they have not proven anything until today. I would like to inform the society that I spoke to Tengo and his lawyer yesterday and learned about details of the case. I am completely convinced that the court will have the least basis for his arrest. In one episode concerning overspending fuel there is absolutely no argument against him, and in the other episode where they are claiming that he stole money it is about an insignificant administrative overspending, hence, he was late to sign the papers.

The investigation could easily determine the real situations of the case, and not rely on very weak formal arguments. As I am aware, Mr. Gunava asked for this 4 times, and this is indicated in various documents related to his interrogation. In spite of this, the investigation detoured the real situation, and on the other hand the court did not obligate the investigation to administer relevant actions.

I would also like to inform our society about the fact that Tengiz Gunava was decorated with the First Degree Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali for protecting the homeland and fighting for its unity and bravery twice, as well as with Second Degree Order of Vakhtang Gorgasali. This is a person who was fighting for independence of Georgia before the war, and in 2008 as well. The operation during which our fighters protected the Battery of “Buki” from the Russians by endangering their lives is related to Mr. Gunava directly. I can state with full responsibility that Mr. Tengiz Gunav is one of the most heroic citizens of Georgia, who always protected freedom and security of our country.

It is very hard to imagine that Tengiz Gunava, and many other devoted fighters, is justifying himself before a court today, meanwhile the new government is declaring Vladimer Bedukadze as a hero and ceases investigation against him. This is truly one of the most shameful episodes of Georgian history. It is natural that we will wait for the verdict and then make our statements and inform the society about our decisions.