PM Kobakhidze calls Civic Idea head Khidasheli ‘foreign influence agent’

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has accused Tina Khidasheli, the head of Civic Idea NGO and former Defence Minister, of being a foreign influence agent and described her recent actions as a “shameful betrayal” of the country.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Kobakhidze criticized a letter Khidasheli sent to the US State Department, in which she accused the Georgian government of wrongdoing. The Prime Minister argued that such behavior was typical of foreign influence operatives and not surprising.

“Tina Khidasheli is a foreign influence agent. Betraying the country is not unfamiliar to her, and therefore such reports do not surprise us. Regarding speculations around the visit, other leaders from Armenia and Azerbaijan were also present, yet neither Khidashelis nor international actors engaged in such speculation. This is a shameful betrayal, a practice that foreign influence agents have carried out for many years,” Kobakhidze claimed.