The first meeting of the temporary investigative commission (TIC) to investigate the "crimes" of the United National Movement party during its time in power was held in Georgia. This body was recently created by the country's parliament, which is effectively a one-party body and consists of members of the ruling Georgian Dream.
Today, the commission's regulations were approved, and its chairperson and secretary were elected. Following the meeting, the TIC will be headed by Tea Tsulukiani, known for her repressive policies, as well as her hostile attitude towards the United National Movement party and its founder, the third president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili.
Tsulukiani joined Ivanishvili's team as the Minister of Justice in 2012 and remained in her post under five more heads of government - Garibashvili, Kvirikashvili, Bakhtadze, Gakharia and Kobakhidze. During her tenure as Minister of Culture and Sports, dozens of employees from various departments within the Ministry's jurisdiction were dismissed, which explained such a policy by reorganization. It is noteworthy that Tsulukiani's activities caused a storm of protests, against the backdrop of which a petition appeared demanding her resignation. Last fall, the minister left her post, after which she found herself on the list of "dreamers" before the parliamentary elections.
Another opponent of the "National Movement" - former Georgian Ombudsman Sozar Subari - has been appointed Secretary of the Temporary Investigative Commission. As a member of the political satellite group "People's Power", he is presented in the newly created body as an oppositionist.
Earlier, the "Georgian Dream" reported that the attention of the TIC would be focused on 2003-2012. The commission members will study such issues as the systematic use of torture in correctional facilities, corruption and pressure on enterprises for the purpose of extortion, the seizure of media from their legal owners, the "unleashing of war" in 2008, etc.
At today's meeting, it was promised that the TSK will consider appeals from citizens who have become "victims of the regime." Their names will not be disclosed. The head of the commission also noted that they will only discuss specific facts, not general complaints about the authorities.
To date, the commission's term of office is three months, but it can be extended for another three. After this time, the findings will be forwarded to the prosecutor's office to initiate criminal proceedings.
Recall that on February 5, 49 Georgian oppositionists were officially stripped of their parliamentary mandates, including representatives of the parties "Unity - National Movement", "Coalition for Change" and "Strong Georgia". They had previously declared that the elections held on October 26 last year were falsified and, in protest, refused to work in parliament, demanding that their powers be terminated.
