Prepared by Messenger Staff
Kobakhidze Comments on Charges Against Khabeishvili
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze addressed the charges brought against Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the political council of the United National Movement, during remarks to journalists.
"There is no such thing as a peaceful or non-peaceful coup," Kobakhidze said. "Cases have been initiated in two directions: one regarding the coup and the other concerning the promise of a bribe. The rest, naturally, is a matter for the courts."
Kobakhidze also stated that he is aware of who gave Khabeishvili the nickname "Anita" and who was paying him 3,000 GEL initially and later 5,000 GEL.
Kobakhidze criticized what he described as a pattern of rhetoric in Georgian politics. "Society has been conditioned to this rhetoric, constantly talking about radicalism, coups, destruction, and so on. Thousands of statements have been made even in recent days. The practice here must be different from what it was 3-4 years ago. The law must operate in Georgia with full severity; only then can our national interests be fully protected."
He added that the government intends to apply strict measures in response to politically motivated offenses. "I promise everyone that, just as we have toughened the enforcement of the law in other areas such as corruption, organized crime, or drug-related crimes, we will have very strict approaches regarding politically motivated crimes as well," Kobakhidze said. "In all directions, we will have stricter approaches to law enforcement than in the past. Of course, this does not suit drug addicts, 'Nats,' or organized criminals, but it suits society."
Zourabichvili Says Georgian Dream Is Following Russian Playbook
Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, has sharply criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party, declaring that the government is "in agony" and pursuing a strategy modeled on Russia.
"The regime is developing a classic (Russian) scenario: provocation, tension, a deliberate strategy to incite confrontation," Zourabichvili wrote. "After instilling fear of war, Georgian Dream is playing out a 1990s scenario to sow new fear."
She argued that the government's response to protests reflects weakness rather than strength. "This is served by brandishing weapons on Rustaveli and sending 'titushky' into the ranks of peaceful protests. This is a sign of the regime's own fear, resorting to chaos instead of policy. This is a sign of the regime's incapacity, which can no longer find within itself the resources to govern the country, left only with violence, repression, and fear," she stated.
Zourabichvili also linked recent detentions to what she called the ruling party's decline. "Agony, indeed, when a female politician is arrested for writing on an election poster," she said, expressing solidarity with detained opposition figures and activists. "Solidarity with innocent Mzia, Nino, Elene, and solidarity with all prisoners of conscience and political prisoners!"
