Georgia, Tbilisi, Feb.7 / Trend N. Kirtskhalia /
Ex-Georgian President Eduard Shevardnadze said it is "very likely" that Georgia will win the case against Russia in the European court.
"The persecution of the people and the violence against them is unacceptable. And, in this particular situation, I think that the Georgian state's suit against Russia is fair," Shevardnadze told the Asaval-Dasavali weekly today.
Last week, the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg reviewed a lawsuit filed by Georgia against Russia on the mass deportation of Georgians from Russia in 2006.
Georgian and Russian representatives were heard, as well as victims and experts. A decision will be made this autumn.
At the same time, Shevardnadze said the Russian leadership's "common sense" prevailed, and the deportations were halted.
"Now over 1 million Georgians live in Russia, and they are not oppressed," he said.
The ex-president also touched upon the much talked-about ban on Russian songs in Georgian restaurants, stating that this is "impermissible" and "stupid."
"One should not worsen relations with Moscow, as any worsening of relations separates us from the the perspective of returning Abkhazia and South Ossetia," he said.