Chief Prosecutor Irakli Shotadze Resigns

Irakli Shotadze, the Chief Prosecutor of Georgia has resigned following mass demonstration at his office over the controversial Khorava street incident last December, which left two 16 year-olds – Davit Saralidze and Levan Dadunashvili – stabbed to death.

Shotadze issued a statement on the matter, saying the Prosecutor’s Office did everything at its hands to hold the perpetrators accountable. “Fair justice is extremely important, especially when it relates to the murder of teenagers,” he also stressed.

Shotadze then appealed to the parents of the murdered teenagers, expressing hope that his resignation would convince them that “the unfounded, dirty accusations against me, was a political vengeance for what the Prosecutor’s Office did under my leadership in holding to account many former government officials (implying Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement), who established systemic injustice in the country.”

Bidzina Ivanishvili, who chairs the ruling Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia party, welcomed Shotadze’s decision “as an extremely honorable step, inspired by high political and moral responsibility.”

“Khorava street tragedy has appalled me, just like the entire Georgian society; I was watching the case proceedings with close attention, and I was sure that justice would be served fully and in a timely manner,” Ivanishvili wrote in a statement, released shortly after the Chief Prosecutor’s announcement.

“I personally know Irakli Shotadze and I am sure of his professionalism and honesty, and I was and am sure Irakli and his office was doing everything at their disposal to bring the perpetrators accountable before law,” the statement reads.

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