Statement of the Deputy Minister of Interior Mrs. Natia Mezvrishvili
As you are aware tomorrow is second round of the presidential elections. In order to ensure public order and safe environment during elections, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as a politically neutral agency, is fully mobilized across the whole country.
The police are ready to ensure the protection of public order and security as successfully as it was during the first round of elections.
Despite the politically active pre-election process, during the entire pre-election period all criminal offences were effectively suppressed and prevented as a result of active work of the police and therefore, we would like to thank each and every police officer;
The police immediately responded to each fact of crime. Based on the evidences obtained during investigation, criminal liability was incurred on specific perpetrators, irrespective of their political opinion. Among defendants there are representatives and supporters both of the ruling and opposition parties.
It is regrettable that during the pre-election period the crimes committed on the household grounds were frequently assessed as politically motivated, which as a result of our investigation, in most cases, was not proven. Political motive was found only in some criminal cases and the respective liability was incurred on specific persons.
During the pre-election period, the political temperature particularly increased in regions. In terms of security context, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs visited the regions adjacent to occupation line, namely Samegrelo and Shida Kartli, where it is crucially important to hold the elections in the peaceful environment.
Tomorrow, police mobile groups will be fully mobilized throughout Georgia, as it was in the first round of the presidential elections. Also, during the day, we will periodically inform society about important issues related to the elections within the competence of the police.
We address all persons and organizations involved in election process, irrespective of their political opinion, to comply with the law and, where necessary, to address to the police and to facilitate the conduction of elections in peaceful environment.
We will not let anyone to escalate the situation artificially and will strictly ensure the observance of the law. No criminal activity will remain unpunished. All the persons, who violate the law, will get equally strict response.
The police will protect each citizen’s right to cast his/her vote in peaceful and safe environment.
Hereby, we would like to thank international and local monitoring organizations for active cooperation.
