Georgian Dream MPs Zarkua and Sanikidze respond to physical altercation in Abu Dhabi

Members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Irakli Zarkua and Viktor Sanikidze, released a video statement following a physical altercation involving a citizen named Lasha Gabitashvili in Abu Dhabi. In the video, they asserted that “there will always be a response to the rootless ones.”

Zarkua and Sanikidze’s statement came after a photo circulated on social media showing Zarkua conversing with a local police officer. The authenticity of the photo has not yet been confirmed.

“Yeah, an incident happened. It’s not something to be proud of, but one thing we should all know is that we are Georgians, a proud nation. When my family or loved ones are mentioned, we will always respond, and that’s how it will be,” Zarkua stated in the video. Sanikidze echoed this sentiment, reiterating that “the rootless will always receive a response.”

“Thank you for standing by us, everything is fine. As Irakli said, these rootless individuals will always receive a response, wherever we are. Thanks again, and everything will be just fine,” Sanikidze added.

The incident occurred on January 13 at a restaurant in one of the hotels in Abu Dhabi, where MPs Zarkua and Sanikidze attacked citizen Lasha Gabitashvili during breakfast. The video depicting the assault shows that there was also present MP Gela Samkharauli, who reportedly hit Gabitashvili during the confrontation, alongside several other individuals.