Otar Romanov-Partskhaladze, the former Prosecutor General of Georgia, has labeled fighters from the "Georgian National Legion"—who are fighting on the side of the Armed Forces of Ukraine—as war criminals.

"The stance regarding them is unequivocal: they are war criminals who will inevitably answer for their actions and be prosecuted under the laws of the Russian Federation," Romanov-Partskhaladze stated in an interview with TASS.

He made this statement in response to a question about his attitude toward the "Georgian National Legion," an organization designated as terrorist and banned in Russia.

Following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Romanov-Partskhaladze announced his intention to assist the Russian military as well as residents of the Donbas and Russian regions bordering Ukraine. He recently formed a "volunteer international" unit in Russia named "Georgievsky."

According to the former prosecutor, the unit is composed of individuals united by a shared vision of the history between Russia and Georgia and a sense of "centuries-old brotherhood."

Amidst the statements made by Romanov-Partskhaladze, reactions on social media have been predominantly negative regarding his re-emergence in the public eye. In particular, reporter and blogger Zurab Javakhadze sharply criticized the former prosecutor's plans. He asserts that Romanov-Partskhaladze has no intention of taking a direct part in combat operations, viewing the formation of the unit primarily as a propaganda project.

"The Russian FSB will create yet another 'TikTok battalion' out of people with Georgian surnames; occasionally, for the sake of the visuals, they’ll summon Partskhaladze to the front, where—safely in the deep rear—he’ll shoot at utility poles against a backdrop of burnt-out buildings," Javakhadze wrote on his Facebook page.

In his view, Partskhaladze’s appearance in the Russian military campaign could be part of an information strategy. The blogger speculated that the former Prosecutor General might be used to manufacture specific imagery, only to find himself in danger once interest in him wanes.

"Once the propaganda machine has fully exploited Partskhaladze, he’ll no longer be needed, and he’ll be 'zeroed out'—eliminated," Javakhadze believes.

In this context, the blogger also recalled the US sanctions imposed on Partskhaladze in 2018 for working with the FSB.

"Back then, the entire 'GD' [Georgian Dream] party rallied to defend Partskhaladze against Western imperialism. In a single day, state authorities transferred all his assets to his son’s name. Partskhaladze himself fled to Russia and adopted the surname Romanov—in honor of the Romanov tsarist dynasty," the journalist wrote.

A criminal case has been opened against Romanov-Partskhaladze in Georgia under Article 109 of the Criminal Code, concerning the organization of a premeditated contract killing motivated by greed. Investigators believe he orchestrated an assassination attempt on businessman Levan Jangveladze.

Romanov-Partskhaladze lost his Georgian citizenship after obtaining a Russian passport. Georgian authorities have stated that his Russian citizenship complicates the process of potential extradition.