President Warns Law Enforcement Against Acting on Prime Minister's 'Threats on Repression and Violence'
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, May 13, 2024
During a recent briefing, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze emphasized the need for accountability among "violent" groups within the "radical opposition", stating that they would be held legally responsible for any acts of violence. He also called upon law enforcement officers to exercise patience and adhere to European standards when responding to incidents.
"I want to warn every member of the violent groups within the radical opposition that they will be held accountable under the law for any acts of violence. At the same time, I would like to ask law enforcement officers to demonstrate maximum patience and to act according to higher European standards when responding to instances of violence and abuse.
I would like to thank the law enforcement officers once again for the fact that, despite the large-scale and completely unacceptable level of violence during the past few weeks, they essentially acted at a higher standard than those in America and Europe.
During the past few weeks, there have been some exceptional incidents that will not be pleasing or acceptable to anyone. Georgia is a small country where people should take special care of each other. Consequently, the harsh forms of response to perpetrators, which are common for the American or French police, should not be acceptable for Georgian law enforcement officers. I would also like to remind everyone that any incident will be used by the radical opposition to cover up their planned violence," Kobakhidze said.
Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili responded to the Prime Minister's statement by appealing to law enforcement agencies to refrain from acting on any "threats" mentioned in the Prime Minister's words. She emphasized that law enforcement should not resort to repression, violence, or the fabrication of conspiracies to intimidate the peaceful and conscious society that has demonstrated its peaceful nature and good manners against "Foreign Agents" law over the past weeks.
"You can't convince anyone of anything. It is in vain. You will only show the world that you do not behave democratically, that you do not obey the law. Therefore, I advise you to stay away from it, because whatever happens, however it happens, is your responsibility. I am saying this in advance, and I think it is clear to everyone," said Zourabichvili, addressing law enforcement officers.
