Georgian PM rejects impact of MEGOBARI Act, emphasises public value of truth

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday dismissed the potential impact of the proposed MEGOBARI Act, asserting that Georgian society prioritised truth over foreign-approved documents.

In his remarks, Kobakhidze argued that the act, like other external resolutions, holds no value if it contains falsehoods.

“The opposition has been given many lifelines, but none have helped because the public sees everything. The most important thing is the public’s assessment. If any act, for example, the European Parliament’s resolution or the MEGOBARI Act, contains false information, it will have no value for Georgian society. All the lies spread against the Georgian people by certain institutions have completely worn out”, the PM said.

He underscored that Georgian society valued the degree to which truth is reflected in such documents, rather than their foreign endorsement.

“Therefore, if anyone hopes that the MEGOBARI Act could have any effect, they are gravely mistaken. Georgian society values not documents approved abroad, but the extent to which truth is reflected in those documents”, he concluded.

The Act proposes sanctions and visa restrictions for high-ranking Georgian officials. Its full title is Mobilizing and Enhancing Georgia's Options for Building Accountability, Resilience, and Independence Act. It is also officially known as the Countering Chinese Communist Party, Iranian Regime, and Russian Federation Malign Influence in Georgia Act. The bill was authored by Congressman Joe Wilson.