Georgy Baramidze is under investigation for treason and sabotage.

The Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia has launched an investigation into charges of treason and sabotage in connection with statements made by one of the leaders of the "United National Movement," Georgy Baramidze, after comments about the execution of prisoners in Abkhazia.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in early February, a Russian court in Donetsk sentenced former Georgian Deputy Prime Minister Georgy Baramidze in absentia to 6.5 years for participating in hostilities on the side of Ukraine.

The investigative authorities initiated the investigation after an appeal from the State Service for Veterans Affairs. Its representatives were outraged by Baramidze's words, which were expressed in the author's program by Yago Khvichia, "The Birth of Georgia," reported the Pirveli TV channel.

Discussing the exchange of prisoners during the conflict in Abkhazia, the politician stated that there were facts of prisoners being executed by Georgian military. "We did not take prisoners, we had no prisoners, our people were executed. It was not a necessity, but when your brother, relative, or friend is killed, it is hard to control emotions," Baramidze said, among other things, in a conversation with the host.

This statement became the main topic of publications in pro-government media: they accused Baramidze of deliberate provocation and attempts to incite hatred between Georgians and Abkhazians, writes Newsgeorgia.

The prosecutor's office stated that all necessary investigative actions would be carried out in the case, and the public would be informed of the results later.

After the ensuing resonance, Baramidze published a video address on his Facebook* page, explaining his position. The opposition figure indicated that his words were being misinterpreted.

"In the first weeks of the war, when the enemy asked us to hand over someone as part of an exchange, we had no prisoners. I said that our people executed them, meaning they did not spare the enemy. And it is natural that during a war, you do not spare the opponent. The actions and emotions of ordinary people in the first weeks, when you have lost a father, son, or brother, are not surprising – they did not spare the enemy. I was just explaining why in the initial period we had far fewer prisoners than they did," he said.

"Georgian Dream" condemned the opposition figure

The statements of the former high-ranking official were predictably commented on by the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze.

"This is an absolutely disgraceful, treasonous statement. Hearing such things is disgusting even from a 'nationalist' when you allow yourself such remarks about your own people, fellow citizens, and culture. This is something unimaginable that requires an appropriate response from society," Kobakhidze stated.

The Union of Veterans of the War in Abkhazia also issued a sharp condemnation. Representatives of the organization accused the politician of attempting to portray Georgian fighters as war criminals.

Union representatives specifically reminded of the brutality of the separatists and Russian forces – in particular, the execution of Zhuli Shartava in Sukhumi on September 27, 1993, and the tragedy in Gagra. The organization demanded that Baramidze publicly apologize and retract his unsubstantiated accusations or provide evidence for his claims.

Baramidze does not intend to appear at the prosecutor's office

"If I am summoned to the prosecutor's office, of course, I will not go. I will go to court and say what needs to be said. War is bad because people kill people. What is surprising about a person who has lost a brother or mother not taking prisoners and killing the enemy?" Georgy Baramidze said.

According to the politician, he would not be in Georgia now if he were afraid of arrest or punishment. He emphasized that he is not afraid of criminal prosecution.

"Before my homeland, God, and my conscience, I have always been right, and no one can take this truth away from me," Baramidze wrote on his Facebook* page.