Zourabichvili Rejects Kobakhidze's Claim Linking Her to October 4 Events
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, December 12, 2025
Georgia's fifth president, Salome Zourabichvili, has rejected Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze's accusation that she helped organize the events of October 4, calling the allegation baseless and part of a coordinated campaign targeting her.
At a briefing, Zourabichvili said the pressure intensified because she continues to voice the concerns of the public. "This campaign was initiated by the Georgian Dream prime minister and then carried on by the smaller ones," she said. "Apparently, I am the organizer or one of the organizers. This is totally unacceptable to me, not only because it is based on nothing. I had no connection whatsoever to organizing or participating."
She added that she does not know the individuals who were arrested in connection with the events and insisted her principles rule out involvement in any attempt at destabilization. According to her, "this country needs strengthening of its democratic system," yet the government is pushing Georgia "from an authoritarian regime toward a Russian-type authoritarianism."
Zourabichvili said her position has been consistent for decades. She recalled her stance during the Saakashvili era, stating, "I stood for 138 days and said: no overthrow, no deal. And I stand by the same principle today." She described the presidency as "the last island of legitimacy" and said her goal is to protect the institution rather than seek personal influence. "If I fail to protect this legitimacy, it means the parliament is also legitimate and all the rest. That is why I am the barrier that protects us from this illegitimate government," she said.
She also claimed the campaign against her is being assisted by the Georgian Dream and by certain figures within the United National Movement. "Georgian Dream accuses me of organizing October 4, while some UNM members accuse me of sabotaging October 4, March 31, and April 9," she said. According to Zourabichvili, the combined attacks reveal deep political anxiety because she represents public dissatisfaction with the country's direction. She argued that "society feels the country is heading toward Russia," but does not want a return to the UNM era or continued rule by what she called "Russian Dream."
Zourabichvili described the campaign as part of a broader hybrid operation aimed at reshaping Georgia along a Russian model. "This does not necessarily mean Russian troops entering," she said. "Through this regime, the Georgian spirit, identity, and most importantly, Georgian freedom and independence, are being captured. I will never accept this, and that is probably why I am unbearable to many."
A day earlier, Kobakhidze said the October 4 gathering amounted to a coup attempt. "A coup does not have two interpretations. A coup is a coup," he said. "People went to that rally with a specific intention. Among them were members of three parties and former President Salome Zourabichvili. They went with the desire and aim of overthrow. However, when they saw that the attempt failed, they immediately distanced themselves from the coup rally."
Zourabichvili dismissed that characterization and said she will continue working for "fair parliamentary elections that will replace this illegitimate government."
