Day: December 4, 2024
On December 4, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated during a briefing that Russia is ready to normalize relations with Georgia “as far as Tbilisi is ready for it.”
“As for the further prospects of normalization of bilateral relations with Georgia, we are ready to follow this path as far as Tbilisi is ready for it… We believe that the Georgian people will have enough foresight and faith not to become a pawn in someone else’s dirty and very dangerous game,” Zakharova said.
Zakharova also assessed the statements of Georgia’s Western partners, who have expressed their support for the peaceful demonstrators against the ruling Georgian Dream’s turn away from the EU path. She said that “monstrous statements” are being made by the West about Georgia’s internal politics, which show that the West has “no standards” when it comes to non-interference in a country’s internal politics, and that Russia sees “complete cacophony, a kind of obscenity” coming from the West.
Commenting on President Salome Zurabishvili, who sided with the demonstrators, she said: “I don’t know how an official, a private person, an adult who has declared that her life’s work is to take care of people, can call on children, schoolchildren, and it was to them that the statement was addressed, to take to the streets because it’s their turn to protest […] You must be a person without a head or a person without a heart. Maybe the rarest combination – without a head and without a heart.”
“Unlike Westerners, we do not interfere in the internal affairs of countries, in this case Georgia. As for Salome Zurabishvili, her mandate as President will expire in a week and a half. We assume that the legal assessment of her activities should be made by the competent bodies of Georgia,” Zakharova concluded.
Russia has been particularly vocal about “normalizing relations” with Georgia following the October 26 parliamentary elections. While many speculate that Russia interfered in what much of the Georgian population believes were rigged elections, Russia itself has denied these allegations. It continues to blame the West for “unprecedented interference” in Georgia’s internal affairs.
Also Read:
- 05/11/2024 – Lavrov Denies Russian Interference in Georgian Elections, Expresses Readiness to Normalize Relations
- 29/10/2024 – Russian Officials Accuse West of “Neocolonialism” and Meddling in Georgia
- 18/10/2024 – Lavrov Reiterates Invitation for Tbilisi to Join 3+3 Platform, Accuses West of Attempts to “Open Second Front”
- 29/09/2024 – Lavrov: Russia Ready to Help Georgia, Abkhazia, Tskhinvali Normalize Relations
On December 4, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated during a briefing that Russia is ready to normalize relations with Georgia “as far as Tbilisi is ready for it.”
“As for the further prospects of normalization of bilateral relations with Georgia, we are ready to follow this path as far as Tbilisi is ready for it… We believe that the Georgian people will have enough foresight and faith not to become a pawn in someone else’s dirty and very dangerous game,” Zakharova said.
Zakharova also assessed the statements of Georgia’s Western partners, who have expressed their support for the peaceful demonstrators against the ruling Georgian Dream’s turn away from the EU path. She said that “monstrous statements” are being made by the West about Georgia’s internal politics, which show that the West has “no standards” when it comes to non-interference in a country’s internal politics, and that Russia sees “complete cacophony, a kind of obscenity” coming from the West.
Commenting on President Salome Zurabishvili, who sided with the demonstrators, she said: “I don’t know how an official, a private person, an adult who has declared that her life’s work is to take care of people, can call on children, schoolchildren, and it was to them that the statement was addressed, to take to the streets because it’s their turn to protest […] You must be a person without a head or a person without a heart. Maybe the rarest combination – without a head and without a heart.”
“Unlike Westerners, we do not interfere in the internal affairs of countries, in this case Georgia. As for Salome Zurabishvili, her mandate as President will expire in a week and a half. We assume that the legal assessment of her activities should be made by the competent bodies of Georgia,” Zakharova concluded.
Russia has been particularly vocal about “normalizing relations” with Georgia following the October 26 parliamentary elections. While many speculate that Russia interfered in what much of the Georgian population believes were rigged elections, Russia itself has denied these allegations. It continues to blame the West for “unprecedented interference” in Georgia’s internal affairs.
Also Read:
- 05/11/2024 – Lavrov Denies Russian Interference in Georgian Elections, Expresses Readiness to Normalize Relations
- 29/10/2024 – Russian Officials Accuse West of “Neocolonialism” and Meddling in Georgia
- 18/10/2024 – Lavrov Reiterates Invitation for Tbilisi to Join 3+3 Platform, Accuses West of Attempts to “Open Second Front”
- 29/09/2024 – Lavrov: Russia Ready to Help Georgia, Abkhazia, Tskhinvali Normalize Relations
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has called on the Georgian authorities to respect human rights, including the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression, following the violent dispersal of protests in Tbilisi. He urged the immediate release of individuals detained for exercising their right to protest peacefully and condemned the use of force against demonstrators and journalists.
“While acts of violence by some protesters have occurred, they do not justify excessive force by police. Concerning the reported widespread use of water cannons and pepper spray against peaceful demonstrators, I stress that force, if used, must be a last resort and must meet strict standards of necessity and proportionality. Dispersal should also only be used as a last resort, following appropriate de-escalation efforts. Peaceful demonstrators must retain their right to assemble freely,” said Michael O’Flaherty.
Citing information from the Public Defender’s Office and other sources, the Commissioner expressed concern about reports of excessive use of force, including serious injuries to demonstrators and journalists. He called on the Georgian Special Investigation Service to launch investigations into police brutality, including actions by the so-called “men in black,” who operate without identification and have been accused of the most serious abuses. O’Flaherty stressed the need for all law enforcement officials to display “proper forms” as required by international human rights standards to ensure accountability.
The protests, which began on November 28 following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement to halt EU integration efforts until 2028, were met with a harsh response by riot police, including excessive use of tear gas, water cannons, arrests, and physical and verbal abuse. Journalists have also reported numerous attacks while carrying out their duties.
International partners, such as Baltic countries, have condemned the violence and imposed sanctions on the responsible authorities. Earlier, Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions and political deadlock in Georgia, urging investigations into the alleged excessive use of force.
Also Read:
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has called on the Georgian authorities to respect human rights, including the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression, following the violent dispersal of protests in Tbilisi. He urged the immediate release of individuals detained for exercising their right to protest peacefully and condemned the use of force against demonstrators and journalists.
“While acts of violence by some protesters have occurred, they do not justify excessive force by police. Concerning the reported widespread use of water cannons and pepper spray against peaceful demonstrators, I stress that force, if used, must be a last resort and must meet strict standards of necessity and proportionality. Dispersal should also only be used as a last resort, following appropriate de-escalation efforts. Peaceful demonstrators must retain their right to assemble freely,” said Michael O’Flaherty.
Citing information from the Public Defender’s Office and other sources, the Commissioner expressed concern about reports of excessive use of force, including serious injuries to demonstrators and journalists. He called on the Georgian Special Investigation Service to launch investigations into police brutality, including actions by the so-called “men in black,” who operate without identification and have been accused of the most serious abuses. O’Flaherty stressed the need for all law enforcement officials to display “proper forms” as required by international human rights standards to ensure accountability.
The protests, which began on November 28 following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s announcement to halt EU integration efforts until 2028, were met with a harsh response by riot police, including excessive use of tear gas, water cannons, arrests, and physical and verbal abuse. Journalists have also reported numerous attacks while carrying out their duties.
International partners, such as Baltic countries, have condemned the violence and imposed sanctions on the responsible authorities. Earlier, Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions and political deadlock in Georgia, urging investigations into the alleged excessive use of force.
Also Read:
During the trial of Ali Karimli, the chairman of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (AXCP), 12 party members were detained. Four of them – Elchin Hacivelli, Rovshan Asparov, Bakhtiyar Huseynov, and Mikayil Ismailov – were brought before the Nasimi District Court.
According to a statement from the party, these individuals were subjected to physical abuse while in police custody, with one reporting injuries such as a torn nail. Ali Karimli’s bodyguard, Ruslan Amirov, was also reportedly beaten, though his current whereabouts are unknown. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has not yet commented on the situation.
In a separate case, Ali Karimli was found guilty of defamation under Article 147.1 of the Criminal Code by the Nasimi District Court, which imposed a fine of 1,500 AZN. This decision stemmed from a lawsuit filed by former AXCP member Aydin Aliyev, who had demanded a six-month prison sentence for Karimli.
Karimli has called the verdict politically motivated and has vowed to appeal. During the court proceedings, among those detained included prominent figures such as Vidadi Mirkamal and Ruslan Amirov. Some were released later, but details about the others remain unclear.
The conflict between Karimli and Aliyev dates back to 2019 when Aliyev was expelled from the party for his alleged opposition to its political course. Aliyev accused Karimli of defamation in media statements, which Karimli denied, asserting that his comments were truthful and consistent with his party’s stance.
The AXCP has described the entire legal process as a politically driven attempt to weaken the party and remove its leadership from political activity. The party’s statement claims that the government is using Aliyev, a former active member who later aligned himself with pro-government activities, as a tool to undermine Karimli and the AXCP.
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