President condemns hate speech against ‘respected’ public figures

Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili has condemned what he described as hate speech directed at respected public figures, saying such insults “cannot be justified as humour and are unacceptable in Georgian society.”

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Kavelashvili questioned attempts to defend offensive remarks made under the guise of comedy.

"What kind of comedy programme can justify someone insulting a person who is worthy and has served the country? How can anyone explain that such behaviour is acceptable? It is impossible to accept that in Georgia," he said.

The president said hate speech would always remain unacceptable to the majority of Georgians, regardless of who its target is.

Kavelashvili also criticised “attacks” on the Georgian Orthodox Church and the Patriarchate, saying they had faced repeated insults over the years. He referred to a visiting German lawmaker whom he accused of encouraging criticism of the Church, saying such efforts would not succeed.

The president said Georgia's policies should be guided by its own national interests rather than by the expectations of foreign actors.

"My ancestors struggled and fought for this country. I cannot allow myself to shape my policies based on someone else's instructions or on whether someone abroad approves of them. That period is over," Kavelashvili said.

He added that, in his view, the values of Georgian society could not be changed through technology, podcasts or initiatives promoted in the name of freedom, insisting that most Georgians reject the use of hate speech.