Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen says opposition engaged in anti-state activities

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Monday responded to criminal prosecution initiated by the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia against the domestic opposition leaders, saying they were engaging in anti-state activities through their actions.

In response to the journalist’s question whether representatives of the non-governmental sector or the fifth Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili could be charged in connection with the same case, Kaladze noted that he had no information on this matter.

“The investigative agency has provided an extensive explanation on this, I cannot say anything more about who else may be under investigation. I have no information regarding this, however, as for the accusations we have heard, they are very serious and we have discussed this many times. [Domestic opposition], through their actions, are engaging in anti-state activities, taking steps that harm this country, its future, the country's economic development, maintaining peace, etc.”, Kaladze said.

He stressed that a politician was required, first and foremost, to protect the interests of the country.

“When you are a politician, first of all, you should serve the interests of your country, you should protect the interests of the citizens of your country. We have heard many times that [opposition] are not at all interested in their own country, their own people, they only serve their external patrons”, he concluded.