Kobakhidze: There Is No Basis for Expecting Legal Proceedings Against Mdinaradze

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says there is no basis for expecting legal proceedings against Mamuka Mdinaradze, former head of the State Security Service (SSG). According to him, if he says there is no basis, then the expectation is that such proceedings should not be awaited.

Kobakhidze told journalists this at the Georgian Dream office after the sessions of the Political Council and the majority concluded. According to him, the team discussed all issues today, including Mamuka Mdinaradze.

"Mamuka Mdinaradze has left politics. Questions keep arising on this topic. I think it is wrong to push this issue too far forward when a person has left politics. I do not see a basis for this," Kobakhidze said.

According to the Prime Minister, the issue was discussed, but he does not consider it appropriate to talk about this topic publicly when a person has left politics. According to him, during the discussion they also touched on the fact that various high-ranking officials have left politics, and a very general comment was made in this regard.

Speaking about communication with Mdinaradze, Kobakhidze said that he periodically maintains it and added: "Friendship, other topics, this is not a matter related to politics."

When asked whether they are still friends today, Kobakhidze replied: "This is not interesting to you. You can ask questions related to politics. I am deliberately not answering you, simply." According to him, such a question should not be asked after the meeting of the Political Council and the majority. Kobakhidze added: "We will fill in the 'friendship diary' later, when we do not have a Political Council meeting."

Kobakhidze was also asked about a post by Georgian Dream member Dito Samkharadze, in which, according to the author of the question, Mdinaradze's surname was read, and they asked whether legal proceedings against him were expected. The Prime Minister replied: "I do not know who read what. As for your hint, it has no basis whatsoever, I can tell you that."