Georgian Parliament official criticises British envoy: hitting police officer crime everywhere

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Tuesday strongly condemned remarks made by the British Ambassador to Georgia, accusing the diplomat of distorting facts and violating the Vienna Convention.

Matikashvili's comments came in response to the Ambassador's statement regarding the journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, jailed for attacking a police officer, which the Ambassador suggested was politically motivated due to her criticism of the Government.

In his remarks, Matikashvili noted that the Ambassador was seeking to frame the events in a context that was far removed from truth and dignity.

“It is deeply concerning when the representative of the United Kingdom - once a flagship of democracy - violates the Vienna Convention and distorts facts to such a degree as to present events in a misleading context”, the official said.

“Again, it cannot be acceptable that hitting a police officer is considered a crime in the UK, but in Georgia is interpreted as a political act immune from punishment”, Matikashvili concluded.