Georgian PM: ‘they distanced themselves from overthrow rally only after violence failed - that’s how everyone will distance themselves’

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Monday said opposition parties distanced themselves from the attempted “overthrow rally” only after it failed, adding that this reaction “shows their true face”.

Kobakhidze added the only political group to publicly distance itself from the rally beforehand was Giorgi Gakharia’s party.

“The only one who distanced themselves from the so-called overthrow rally and attempt in advance was Gakharia’s party. No one else from the radical opposition, including Lelo, did so,” the Prime Minister said.

Kobakhidze added representatives of Lelo, the United National Movement, and Akhali had openly declared that they would participate in elections until 8 p.m. and then join the protest aimed at overthrowing the Government.

“They distanced themselves only after the violence failed. That is how everyone will distance themselves. Imagine someone seeing that the overthrow attempt has failed - and then declaring support? It shows who they truly are. These people have been acting together this whole time, constantly calling for revolution, upheaval, and a non-electoral change of power. They took part in the elections, supported the rally, joined it - and only after it failed, they backed away,” Kobakhidze said.