We are fully authorized to speak on behalf of the President, therefore, naturally, we should not see this as if she shows disrespect to the court, said Maia Kopaleishvili, the rights defender of the President, at the Constitutional Court session, where the impeachment submission of Salome Zourabichvili is being considered.

“We had a meeting with President several times. We talked about all the details, including the content and volume of these meetings. So we are fully authorized to speak on behalf of the President as her representatives. Today we represent her explanation regarding this particular case. Therefore, naturally, we should not consider it as if she showed disrespect, on the contrary, today’s consideration is very important for the President. She is sure of the fairness of the process, so naturally she has great respect for the court”, - said Maia Kopaleishvili.

“We have not only full information from the President, but also, as she publicly stated, full confidence to represent her interests before the Constitutional Court. Both the President and we act in full compliance with the requirements of the law. I think the Constitutional Court will also act so.

This [non-attendance of the President at the hearing] is in no way an expression of disrespect by the President, it should not be interpreted that way, this is how the Parliament interprets it, although I think that the Constitutional Court should not interpret it that way. The President acts in accordance with the law”, - added another human defender of the President, Tamar Chugoshvili.