The former chairman of the Pardon Commission responds to Bishop Daniel"s statement. According to the Metropolitan of Sachkhere and Chiatura, Margvelashvili had a desire to pardon the convicted cleric and the patriarchate was not against it, but because of the involvement of the government, he was not pardoned.

Zviad Koridze states that the commission members were not able to agree on this issue.

"We brought this case to the Commission Sitting and it was my special initiative. The provision assumes that all members of the Commission should have a positive response, we could not reach a consensus in order to offer a recommendation to the President.
Then the President shared this attitude and refused to use his exclusive right to pardon.
I have had too many conversations with Margvelashvili and he has never given any hint that there were any consultations with government on this issue," -Zviad Koridze said.