Georgian Prosecutors Summon Zurabishvili As Probe Begins Into Possible Vote Fraud

Georgian prosecutors have summoned President Salome Zurabishvili to testify as they launched an investigation into possible fraud during the October 26 elections that the ruling Georgia Dream party won amid allegations of violations from both the opposition and Zurabishvili.

The probe comes a day after U.S. President Joe Biden voiced deep concern over Georgia's democratic regress and urged a transparent investigation into the voting-fraud allegations.

Increasingly authoritarian Georgian Dream declared victory with nearly 54 percent of the vote, prompting thousands of people to protest against the results, which they say were rigged by the ruling party's Russia-style tactics, while international election monitors said the polls were spoiled by "an uneven playing field, pressure, and tension.”

Election observers also decried recorded instances of vote buying, double voting, physical violence, and intimidation.

The Prosecutor-General's Office said in a statement that the probe had been opened after Zurabishvili declared that the election was marred by violations and refused to accept the results.

WATCH: President Salome Zurabishvili said Georgia's European and Western partners need to exert "extreme pressure" on authorities over what she called the "stolen election" of October 26.

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Georgian President Calls On West Not To Let Her Country Slide Toward Russia (Video)

“President Salome Zurabishvili must have evidence of possible falsification of the 2024 parliamentary elections, in connection with which, in accordance with the procedure established by law, [she] was invited for questioning on October 31,” the statement said.

The statement pledges to carry out "all necessary investigative and procedural actions, as indicated in the appeal by the Central Election Commission, as well as with the aim of studying the accusations voiced by the President of Georgia, the representatives of individual political parties, and the observer missions.

"As part of the investigation, all persons who may have information about the alleged criminal facts will be questioned," it said, adding that "the prosecutor's office will periodically inform the public about the results of the investigation."

The elections were held after Georgian Dream earlier this year forced a controversial “foreign influence” law similar to Russia’s "foreign agent" law through parliament, despite an opposition boycott and months of mass protests that were at times violently suppressed. Legislation curbing LGBT rights was also passed last month.

Zurabishvili, who has been at odds with Georgian Dream but has limited powers under the Georgian Constitution, called on the West in an interview with RFE/RL on October 29 to put pressure on Tbilisi to keep the country on a Western path.

She had previously refused to sign off on the "foreign influence" bill and rejected the LGBT measures, moves that were overridden by Georgian Dream based on their control of parliament.

In a statement issued by the White House, Biden also said that the elections "were marred by numerous recorded misuses of administrative resources as well as voter intimidation and coercion," adding that Georgian citizens have a right to peacefully protest the results.

Some Western countries, such as Sweden and Canada, have already reduced ties with Tbilisi in response to the reported election
violations.

In recent years, Georgian Dream began to gradually turn the Caucasus country away from the West, despite the country gaining EU candidate status in December 2023.

Biden recalled that the United States has long been a staunch supporter of Georgia's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and Euro-Atlantic aspirations.

"That is why I have been deeply alarmed by the country’s recent democratic backsliding, including the enactment of legislation mirroring Russian laws that restrict fundamental freedoms and limit the space for independent civil society organizations," Biden said.

Biden also had a stern message for the Georgian authorities, urging them to probe all reported violations and repeal the Russia-style legislation.

"We call on the Georgian government to transparently investigate all election irregularities, to repeal laws such as the so-called 'Foreign Influence Law' that limit freedoms of assembly and expression, and to begin an immediate, inclusive dialogue with all political forces in Georgia about restoring election integrity," the statement said.

"We call for all parties to strictly respect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, which remain the foundation for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future," Biden said.

Following growing international pressure, Georgia's Central Electoral Commission said on October 29 that it would recount ballots at five randomly selected polling stations in each of Georgia's 84 electoral districts.