Vice-Speaker Tsilosani: among violent groups, women were loudest in hurling insults, behaving indecently

Georgian Vice-Speaker Nino Tsilosani on Tuesday commented on the confrontation that took place on Monday on Melikishvili Avenue, near incumbent Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze’s election headquarters, highlighting the role of women in what she described as violent groups.

“In these violent groups, I would single out women who were the loudest in insulting our supporters and behaved in the most indecent way. And now, do you want to frame this as violence against women? In reality, you are putting at greatest risk those women who truly face violence in their homes or in partner relationships,” Tsilosani stated.

She urged observers not to mislabel participants: “Either understand the situation or learn what standards should be applied, so that people engaged in violent, fascist activism — including women — are not portrayed as victims. They were not victims; they were perpetrators. I saw everything from beginning to end. The fascists included both men and women — unfortunately, this fascist grouping in our reality also includes women.”

According to Tsilosani, the groups involved deliberately provoked aggression: “Politically speaking, this fascist group has been moving around the capital for a long time, harassing citizens regardless of gender or age, restricting freedom of movement, and doing so intentionally to provoke a response. This same fascist group attacked our supporters, hurled insults, and staged a small aggressive rally. Against this backdrop, when people reacted emotionally, I understand the political context. Sadly, this fascist grouping also includes women, who are well-trained in how to push people out of line.”

The incident on Melikishvili Avenue escalated into clashes between demonstrators and Georgian Dream activists. Several people, including media representatives, were injured. Protesters accused members of the ruling party’s youth wing of physical assaults.