Georgian Parliament official slams “anti-state” statements amid Middle East tensions, says critics use any situation against Georgia

Giorgi Sosiashvili, the deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on education, science, and youth affairs, on Saturday accused certain individuals and groups of using every available situation against their own country, pointing to recent anti-state statements and publications as deliberate attempts to exploit the ongoing Middle East tensions to damage Georgia’s interests and raise domestic instability.

In his remarks, Sosiashvili described Tina Khidasheli’s statements as “nonsense”, accusing her of being stuck in outdated thinking from the 2000s and believing that “lies and irresponsibility” could mislead foreign representatives.

“We have heard the nonsense of Tina Taivaneli [Khidasheli], who clearly has no way out. She seems stuck in the 2000s and believes that with her irresponsible statements and lies, she can mislead representatives of various countries. She directly targets our country, our society, and harms our national interests. Therefore, she will have to answer for this”, he said.

The official emphasised that these actions - whether through studies, media articles, or public statements - constitute deliberate anti-state activity, especially dangerous amid regional volatility.

“They use any situation, any occasion, against their own country. As soon as the war in Ukraine started, they tried to exploit it against their own country, and now they have adapted the situation in the Middle East to serve their own interests, to harm their homeland, and somehow raise the temperature here”, Sosiashvili noted.

Following statements by Tina Khidasheli, Giorgi Kandelaki, former United National Movement government official, has joined what officials describe as an orchestrated disinformation campaign against Georgia. Kandelaki’s name has been linked to another study that critics say is built on false claims and levels dangerous accusations against the country. Even some opposition figures have called on him to demonstrate greater responsibility.

A report published by the Hudson Institute and authored by Kandelaki together with Luke Coffey has been described by government representatives as part of a coordinated effort to damage Georgia’s international reputation and undermine domestic stability.

The Georgian State Security Service launched an investigation into these statements, viewing them as potentially damaging to national interests amid heightened Middle East tensions.

In addition, Major General Vakhtang Kapanadze spoke on one of the television channels about strategic facilities that could potentially become targets for Iran and discussed what he would do if he were in the position of the Iranian authorities.

Amid ongoing developments in the Middle East, another critical article about Georgia was also published in The Hill, titled “Georgia Becomes a Hub for Iran to Evade Sanctions”.

Former defence minister Tina Khidasheli, who is also the chairperson of the NGO Civil Idea, stated that a so-called “university” for terrorists is operating in Georgia.