PM accuses former ombudswoman of acting against Georgia’s national interests

The prime minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze, has accused former public defender Nino Lomjaria of acting against the country’s national interests, following the circulation of footage involving her and the German ambassador.

Speaking to the press on Monday, Kobakhidze said the government had information about how certain individuals were allegedly working against Georgia’s national interests.

“We have our own information on various issues about how these individuals operate. In particular, this person works against Georgia’s national interests,” he said.

Kobakhidze claimed the authorities possess details that, according to him, further confirm such activity. He also alleged that actions contrary to Georgia’s national interests were visible to the public and were not hidden.

“They are acting against our national interests openly and do not conceal it. However, there are also closed meetings where the same issues discussed publicly are addressed,” he said.

The prime minister also criticised the German ambassador to Georgia, saying that if anyone was violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, it was the German envoy.

“If anyone is violating the Vienna Convention, it is the German ambassador. There are many facts confirming this,” Kobakhidze said, adding that other diplomats were also allegedly breaching the convention.

He said that references to the Vienna Convention by those diplomats were therefore “completely irrelevant”.