Azernews.Az

By Sabina Idayatova

Georgian Prosecutor General Archil Kbilashvili believes that the questioning of President Mikheil Saakashvili in connection with the investigation of the August war is possible, however, the president cannot be interrogated against his will.

"The president has immunity, and there are no legal mechanisms allowing to question him against his will," Kbilashvili said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Georgia and Russia, its giant northern neighbor, have maintained no diplomatic relations since a brief war in 2008. Tbilisi broke off relations with Moscow in August 2008 when Moscow crushed a Georgian assault to reassert control over the two rebel regions -- South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- and later recognized the breakaway regions. Georgia announced the two unrecognized republics as occupied territories in September 2008.

A few days ago, Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili stated the need to investigate the causes and circumstances of the August war and stressed that the president will come for questioning as many times as is necessary.

Meanwhile, President Saakashvili told Rustavi-2 TV channel on Tuesday that Georgia could have avoided the 2008 war with Russia only in case of repudiating its statehood. Saakashvili noted that Georgia was forced to wage a war.

Saakashvili said Russia was preparing for war after Georgia closed for it "the way to our governmental bodies, intelligence agencies, created a defense system and ensured energy security".

According to Saakashvili, Russia persistently sought to subdue Georgia under President Zviad Gamsakhurdia (1991-1992), and under President Eduard Shevardnadze (1995-2003).