Georgian parliamentary majority against including Targamadze in "group of trust"
TBILISI. May 3 (Interfax) - The Georgian Parliament plans soon to confirm a parliamentary group of trusted persons who will have access to state secrets.
The Georgian parliamentary majority has categorically rejected the opposition's request to include lawmaker Givi Targamadze in this group, which will consist of five parliamentarians.
"Candidate Targamadze does not suit us because we have lots of questions to him that are not linked to his criminal prosecution by Russian investigative agencies. For example, one of such questions is: where is currently Targamadze, who has not appeared in parliament for several months? When will we be able to see him? In my opinion, this argument alone provides sufficient grounds to deny him the chance to work in the group of trust," parliamentary majority leader David Saganelidze told journalists on Friday.
However, Targamadze, who chaired the parliamentary defense and national security committee for many years, was a member of a similar group of trusted persons for eight years.
Targamadze is wanted by the Russian authorities on suspicion of masterminding mass disturbances in Russia.
Information emerged a few days ago that he was currently in Lithuania. These reports were subsequently confirmed by Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who told journalists that he "had a telephone conversation with Targamadze, who is currently in Lithuania."
