The News in Brief
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Prepared by Messenger Staff
President Salome Zourabichvili Condemns Prime Minister's Remarks in Front of Georgian Army
On June 11, during a meeting with young people, President Salome Zourabichvili addressed a question about the Georgian army, expressing her concern over remarks made by the Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. She emphasized that labeling the president a traitor in front of the troops constituted an "unprecedented insult to the Georgian army".
"When the prime minister dares to call the president a traitor in front of the troops, it is an unprecedented insult to the Georgian army, because this president is its supreme commander-in-chief," Salome Zourabichvili remarked.
"I want to apologize to them on behalf of the prime minister and assure them that everything will be done to strengthen the Georgian army and uphold the legacy of those who won battles and brought Georgia to this day," the President stated.
According to the president, the army requires strengthening, with the United States of America being the primary partner in this endeavor.
"The army needs to be strengthened, and the main partner in this effort has been and continues to be the USA. If it weren't for the USA, we wouldn't have an army that meets the standards necessary for pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration and NATO membership, which our country now has the opportunity to pursue," said Zourabichvili.
Public Defender Urges Prompt Investigation into Attacks on Citizens and Human Rights Defenders
The Public Defender of Georgia responded to recent attacks against citizens, including human rights defenders, and urged relevant bodies to investigate these incidents promptly.
"Today, on June 11, the information was spread about the physical attack on civil activist Zuka Berdzenishvili. The incidents of physical retaliation against citizens are alarming, especially if the reason for the attack is related to their professional activities or expressed opinions. It is necessary for the state to give a strict and appropriate response to each violent incident to prevent such cases from becoming mass organized persecution and violence, and to discourage such actions in society.
The Public Defender also emphasizes that defamatory statements made by politicians against the civil sector and human rights defenders create an even more intimidating environment for them and, considering the current context in the country, pose substantial threats of encouraging violence against them.
The Public Defender of Georgia calls on investigative bodies to immediately respond to the incidents of physical attacks on citizens and to inform the public about the measures taken," the statement reads.
President Salome Zourabichvili Condemns Prime Minister's Remarks in Front of Georgian Army
"When the prime minister dares to call the president a traitor in front of the troops, it is an unprecedented insult to the Georgian army, because this president is its supreme commander-in-chief," Salome Zourabichvili remarked.
"I want to apologize to them on behalf of the prime minister and assure them that everything will be done to strengthen the Georgian army and uphold the legacy of those who won battles and brought Georgia to this day," the President stated.
According to the president, the army requires strengthening, with the United States of America being the primary partner in this endeavor.
"The army needs to be strengthened, and the main partner in this effort has been and continues to be the USA. If it weren't for the USA, we wouldn't have an army that meets the standards necessary for pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration and NATO membership, which our country now has the opportunity to pursue," said Zourabichvili.
Public Defender Urges Prompt Investigation into Attacks on Citizens and Human Rights Defenders
"Today, on June 11, the information was spread about the physical attack on civil activist Zuka Berdzenishvili. The incidents of physical retaliation against citizens are alarming, especially if the reason for the attack is related to their professional activities or expressed opinions. It is necessary for the state to give a strict and appropriate response to each violent incident to prevent such cases from becoming mass organized persecution and violence, and to discourage such actions in society.
The Public Defender also emphasizes that defamatory statements made by politicians against the civil sector and human rights defenders create an even more intimidating environment for them and, considering the current context in the country, pose substantial threats of encouraging violence against them.
The Public Defender of Georgia calls on investigative bodies to immediately respond to the incidents of physical attacks on citizens and to inform the public about the measures taken," the statement reads.