Georgian PM vows firm law enforcement against any extremism

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday described US President Donald Trump’s decision to designate the organisation Antifa as a terrorist group as “a tough but pragmatic decision”.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze emphasised that extremism cannot be given free rein and that his Government would also remain firm in enforcing the law against any form of extremism.

“Strictness in this matter is necessary for the proper development of both society and the country”, the Prime Minister said

Kobakhidze also criticised reactions from what he referred to as so-called “liberals” in both Georgia and the United States regarding the murder of an American activist Charlie Kirk.

He claimed that many expressed hatred, approval, or even joy over the killing of a 31-year-old man. According to him, these reactions mirrored each other in both countries and were being fueled by external forces he described as the “deep state”.

“These forces are artificially trying to implant hatred in Georgian society, just as they do in the United States. Their success here is very limited, but even the small clusters of hatred they have managed to create are concerning”, he continued.

The Prime Minister underlined that the Government must do everything possible to extinguish such “pockets of hatred” in Georgia.