23:50, 16 October 2012

Georgian President returns Bidzina Ivanishvili's citizenship

Manana Mandjgaladze. Photo from http://www.president.gov.ge

Mikhail Saakashvili restored the citizenship of Bidzina Ivanishvili, a candidate for the position of Prime Minister of Georgia. This was reported today at the briefing by Manana Mandjgaladze, Spokesperson of the Georgian President.

Let us remind you that in October 2011, Mikhail Saakashvili signed a decree, depriving Bidzina Ivanishvili and his wife of Georgian citizenship. Upon appeal, the citizenship of the businessman's wife was restored. On October 10, after the victory of the coalition "Georgian Dream" at the parliamentary elections, the Supreme Court adopted a claim of the coalition leader to annul the decree, which deprived him of the citizenship.

According to Manana Mandjgaladze, the decree on restoration of citizenship of Bidzina Ivanishvili has been already signed by the leader of Georgia, the "Interfax" reports.

The decree will come into force upon termination of the French citizenship of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the "Georgia Online" reports.