Will Vashadze pay for his Russian citizenship?

Last week Eurasian Youth Union called on the Investigatory Committee at the Prosecutor's Office (ICPO) to initiate a criminal case against Georgian FM Grigol Vashadze, still a citizen of Russia. According to the organization Vashadze made statements and carried out activities that constitute a crime stipulating responsibility under the following articles: "Humiliation of honor and dignity" and "Fomentation of interethnic strife". The Investigatory Committee accepted the application for consideration but will there be any direct actions against Georgian FM?

Grigol Vashadze acquired Russian citizenship after the collapse of USSR. He has been living and working in Georgia since early 2000s and in 2007 under President Mikheil Saakashvili's decree he was granted second citizenship in Georgia. A year later in February 2008 Vashadze took charge of Georgia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During his time in office he repeatedly reproached Russia for "occupation" of Georgian territories and collaboration with "puppet regimes" in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

At the end of last year Semen Bagdasarov, Fair Russia faction member suggested revoking Vashadze's Russian citizenship. According to the parliamentarian Vashadze makes use of it to "travel freely and form an anti-Russian charter". Nonetheless, the State Duma didn't favor the initiative claiming that committing a crime involves responsibility, not revocation of citizenship.

Curiously enough, Grigol Vashadze then appealed to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev asking to revoke his citizenship and attaching his Russian passport to the letter. Now the Georgian FM's application is under consideration. He physically remains a Russian citizen and in theory can be brought to responsibility under the articles the Eurasian Youth Union (EYU) refers to.

Vashadze has already reacted to the reports in media. He states that both the Ministry and minister will ignore the subject. That's why GeorgiaTimes correspondent tried to clarify this piquant situation with EYU representatives, lawyers and politologists.

Valery Korovin, Eurasian Youth Union leader:

Now our application is being examined by the Investigatory Committee's senior investigator. I think the case against Vashadze will be initiated. I hope it will reach the court and a ruling will be issued. We believe Georgian President Saakashvili in conspiracy with US politicians is pursuing anti-Georgian policy. In spite of these activities Mikheil Saakashvili manages to retain his position as the country leader.

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