Georgian Parliament official accuses radical opposition of orchestrating provocations

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 said the provocations planned by the domestic radical opposition were “nothing new”.

His remarks followed a confrontation outside the party’s campaign office.

Matikashvili noted that young people were being exploited by forces that reject peace in the country.

“The provocations planned by the radical opposition are nothing new. Since the opening of [Tbilisi Mayor] Kakha Kaladze’s campaign office, one provocation has followed another. These actions are saturated with insults, verbal abuse, swearing, and even violence. As the saying goes, ‘he who lives by the sword dies by the sword’ - violence only breeds violence. Such orchestrated aggression has legal weight as well, since these so-called rallies are carried out through deliberate humiliation”, the Parliament official said.

He further argued that the opposition itself does not know what it is protesting.

“We know what a peaceful rally means, their rally is violent, which must end. It is a fact that such violence will lead to a reaction. Young people are putting their own resources at the disposal of those forces for whom peace in Georgia is unacceptable. They are creating fertile ground for this very provocation”, he concluded.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation under the article concerning group violence after the clashes near the election headquarters of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

According to reports, activists used hate speech and insults directed at party members and supporters present at the headquarters. The altercation escalated into a physical confrontation. Two journalists were reportedly injured during the incident.