On May 1, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze held a briefing in which he repeated GD’s narrative about the Foreign Agents law, as intended to make the funding of radical NGOs and media transparent. He commented on the violent dispersal of the April 30 rally, placing responsibility on certain organizations, “radicalized” political parties and NGOs, and foreign politicians and officials who encourage radicalization.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze repeated his accusations that “radical NGOs and media” have tried to organize a revolution at least twice in the last three years and “have not left Georgia alone.” He cited these alleged attempts at revolution as the reason why the economy hasn’t grown properly in recent years and resulting as his said in losses of about $5 billion. He said that various foundations’ funds are being used for NGOs to conduct drug propaganda, LGBTQ+ propaganda, attacks on the Orthodox Church, and so on.
“It is better to see some violent rallies of the radical opposition now than to leave Georgia in a closed circle of radicalism and polarization. Not to allow this is our responsibility as a government to the voters who gave us the mandate to govern the country. Besides, as we have already noted, the radical political minority is wasting its violent resources that it should have saved for the end of October, which will effectively ensure the prevention of a revolutionary scenario for the elections,” – the Prime Minister said.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze stated that the Western politicians and officials are slandering the draft law despite it promoting transparency, which is “in accordance with European principles”. He called on the Ambassadors of various countries in Georgia to meet with him and hold a public discussion with arguments against the law, saying that the Ambassadors’ refusal to do so is a clear sign that they have no arguments against it, and they are just “speaking in the language of blatant blackmail is extremely un-European and un-Western”.
“All the authors of the defamatory statements share the responsibility for the violence that we saw yesterday conducted by a radical political minority. The responsibility for the violent actions of the collective “[United] National Movement” is also fully shared by the radical parties organizing and leading the rally, “NGOs” and their representatives. We warn everyone to clearly understand their moral and legal responsibility correctly”, – said Prime Minister Kobakhidze.
He also singled out the organizations that as he said share the responsibility for the “violent rally”, naming “violent youth representatives” of the youth wings of the UNM, Lelo and Ahali parties, “violent groups”: Talga, Jiutebi, Nabiji, Tbilisi Pride, Gen Z, Tsertili, Dafioni, Students for European Future, Movement for Freedom, Shame Movement, Franklin’s Club and Georgia’s Future Academy. He also said that “despite the huge funding of these groups”, they have only been able to have 300 violent persons.
“I call on all citizens to dissociate themselves from the violent actions of these groups, which are completely dictated by narrow partisan and anti-state motives,” – Kobakhidze stated.
He stated that the violence at the rally is expected to happen again in the near future, however eventually this people will be tired out and at the same time this law will be passed and the country will be saved from long-term polarization and radicalization. He called on the MIA to act with the outmost patience when they face violence from the protestors and thanked them for their service during April 30 rally.
Regarding the injured during the rally, Prime Minister Kobakhidze said that there were only 4 demonstrators “with minor injuries” who went to the hospital and were soon released, while 6 policemen were “seriously injured”. Commenting on Levan Khabeishvili, UNM leader, saying that it wasn’t pleasant to see his injuries and that “unfortunately, violence begets violence”.
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