Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili intends to pardon Giorgi Rurua. However, in her words, she will make this decision if mediators announce that the parties have reached an agreement.
''In my view, no one will be left surprised if I say that the man who I know and the entire public knows well, and who may be called lots of things except for a political prisoner, does not fall into the category of those people who can be released on parole. Despite this, I have always considered that a president is obliged to put the country before his or her views and principles when it is in a political crisis, and its stability, advancement, and future are at stake. Considering this, I stand prepared to make a scandalous decision. However, note that I am making this decision on the precondition that this will end the crisis, and the country, together with parliament, will commence dealing with challenges we face. This implies that the decision will be implemented when the parties concerned sign the final document and take their parliamentary mandates and the representatives of the EU and the US announce that the agreement has been reached. After a week from the statement, I will sign the parole order,'' Salome Zurabishvili declared.
