PM claims Georgia remains among world's safest countries, highlights road safety strategy

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has claimed international rankings and official crime statistics show that Georgia remains one of the world's safest countries, rejecting criticism over public security and highlighting the government's new road safety strategy.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Kobakhidze dismissed claims that the number of murders had increased, accusing some media outlets, non-governmental organisations and opposition activists of spreading misleading information.

He argued that homicide statistics were not open to manipulation and said official data showed that the number of murders has declined every year since 2020.

He noted the average homicide rate was now around three times lower than it was before Georgian Dream came to power in 2012.

Kobakhidze also said international indices rank Georgia among the safest countries in the world, arguing that both those rankings and official crime statistics support the government's record on public safety.

Separately, the prime minister commented on the government's newly approved 2026-2030 National Road Safety Strategy, describing road safety as one of the country's major challenges.

He acknowledged that the number of road fatalities remained unsatisfactory, although he said the figures have improved compared with previous years.

Kobakhidze said continued investment in road infrastructure would help improve safety standards across Georgia and expressed confidence that the medium-term strategy would produce tangible results for citizens by reducing traffic accidents and fatalities.