EP resolution reflects thoughts of ‘Georgian radical opposition’ – ruling party MP

The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party MP Irakli Kadagishvili said on Friday that the recent resolution of the European Parliament on media freedom and security of journalists “fully reflects the thoughts and the rhetoric of the United National Movement over the past several years.”

“Specifically, it must be said that the resolution is based on factual inaccuracies. Therefore, of course, such resolutions are never fair,” Kadagishvili said.

The European Parliament voted in favor of a resolution on violations of media freedom in Georgia and security challenges for journalists on Thursday, which also included the calls of the European People’s Party (EPP), Renew Europe and European Conservatives and Reformers (ECR) to impose targeted sanctions on the founder of the Georgian Dream ruling party Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The document was critical of the events of July 5, 2021, when journalists were attacked by far-right activists during Tbilisi Pride events in Tbilisi.

It suggested that several of the perpetrators were arrested and sentenced to imprisonment, while others, including the organizers, have not yet been brought to justice.

The resolution referred to the sentence of Nika Gvaramia, the head of the opposition-minded Matavari channel, and the cases against the owners of TV Pirveli and Formula. The resolution also referred to the court ruling against the founders of the Lelo party.

The document said that the ex-president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, should be allowed to receive medical treatment abroad.

The resolution praised Nino Lomjaria, the Georgian public advocate, for her positive actions towards the protection of media freedom, “despite the government’s criticism.”

The resolution called on the EU institutions to work for the granting of EU candidate status to Georgia.