Irakliy Batiashvili released in Georgia

Irakliy Batiashvili, one of prominent leaders of the opposition and leader of the movement "Go Ahead, Georgia!" who had been convicted for his support of Kvitsiani was set free on parole.

The pardon decree concerning Irakliy Batiashvili was signed by Nino Burdzhanadze, Acting President of Georgia, on request of Iliya the Second, Patriarch of all Georgia.

Right at this time, a meeting is taking place of the released Batiashvili with Catholicos Patriarch Iliya the Second, the IA "News-Georgia" reports.

It was expected earlier that Irakliy Batiashvili would be set free only after inauguration of the newly elected President of Georgia.

We remind you that on May 23, 2007, Irakliy Batiashvili was sentenced to seven years of imprisonment on charges of rendering intellectual help to Emzar Kvitsiani, former representative of Georgian President in the Kodor Gorge (in Shevardnadze times), who had declared an armed disobedience to the authorities.

His release was actively promoted by the specially founded International Committee for release of Irakliy Batiashvili, which united representatives of twenty-seven political parties and NGOs, namely, the "National forum", Green Party, Labour and National-Democratic Parties, "Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights", the "Georgian Academy" and others.