PM Kobakhidze accuses domestic opposition, their ‘foreign backers’ of ‘shielding terrorism’

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused both domestic opposition groups and what he described as their foreign “patrons” of moving from justifying extremism to openly defending terrorism. 

His remarks came in response to comments made by Grigol Gegelia regarding opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili who has been recently arrested for attempted arson of the Tbilisi City Court chancellery. 

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Kobakhidze said recent statements by opposition figures reinforced the government’s legal position in an ongoing case before Georgia’s Constitutional Court.

“Not only extremism, they are now shielding terrorism - both internal political forces and their foreign political sponsors,” the Prime Minister said. “They have moved from defending extremism to justifying terrorism, and this reveals their true face.”

Kobakhidze added that such developments “further strengthen the claim submitted to the Constitutional Court of Georgia,” against specific opposition groups, including the United National Movement.