Irakli Kobakhidze commends police for ‘defending Georgia’s constitutional order’

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and police officers for their actions in repelling what he described as an attack on Georgia’s constitutional order. Speaking at a press conference, Kobakhidze emphasized the role of law enforcement in safeguarding the country’s sovereignty and independence during recent protests in Tbilisi.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Vakhtang Gomelauri, and every police officer who stood guard over Georgia’s constitutional system and independence yesterday,” said Kobakhidze. He added that without their actions, the situation could have escalated into severe violence.

Kobakhidze compared the current Interior Ministry’s response to past leadership, claiming that, under different ministers, such protests might have resulted in fatalities or severe injuries. He commended the police for ‘acting with restraint and maintaining high standards of proportionality.’

However, the Prime Minister acknowledged isolated incidents of excessive force and called on officers to exercise maximum patience in the future. “Any such incident is exploited by the radical opposition to overshadow their acts of brutal violence,” he said.

Kobakhidze described the protest as a premeditated act of violence rather than legitimate political dissent. He alleged that the rally’s organizers, backed by foreign interests, had no intention of peaceful demonstration, citing the absence of a stage or platform for political speeches.

He also accused the opposition of a broader strategy to delegitimize Georgia’s democratic processes, linking the protest to previous claims of election fraud and attacks on international observers such as OSCE/ODIHR. “Yesterday’s events were a continuation of this process, designed to challenge the state through violence,” he stated.

Kobakhidze concluded by reiterating his support for law enforcement and reaffirming the government’s commitment to maintaining order and upholding democratic principles.