Georgian ruling party MPs reportedly fined $80,000 following physical altercation in Abu Dhabi

Georgian Dream MPs Irakli Zarkua and Viktor Sanikidze returned to Tbilisi after being fined $80,000 for their involvement in a physical confrontation in Abu Dhabi, Georgian media outlet Main Channel reported on Wednesday.

The incident occurred on January 13 at a hotel dining room, where a heated altercation between the MPs and citizen Lasha Gabitashvili escalated into physical violence. Video footage circulating on social media shows Zarkua initiating the conflict by throwing food at Gabitashvili, followed by a physical confrontation. Sanikidze later joined the altercation.

In a subsequent video statement, Gabitashvili revealed that the clash stemmed from a prior verbal confrontation. He stated that he had called the MPs “Russian slaves,” which allegedly provoked the violent response. The earlier dispute reportedly included verbal abuse from both sides.