Ex-PM Garibashvili’s claims over human rights defender’s death ‘misinformation’, Vice Speaker Tsilosani

Parliament Vice-Speaker Nino Tsilosani on Thursday said jailed former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili’s claims concerning the death of human rights advocate Lazare Jorbenadze triggered a wave of what she described as misinformation, arguing that subsequent statements by those who amplified his claims showed they had no additional information about the case.

“The Prosecutor’s Office’s proper legal response showed us that every person who became agitated and followed Garibashvili’s post was, in turn, lying. Now, one after another, they are making statements that they have no additional information concerning the suicide,” Tsilosani said.

Tsilosani added the Prosecutor’s Office had informed them that statements from Jorbenadze’s family and relatives, together with the available evidence, led to the conclusion that his death was a suicide.

She described Garibashvili’s statements as a source of political speculation and accused opposition figures and media personalities of using them to discredit the Prosecutor’s Office and the government.

“It is extremely regrettable that our former colleague followed [opposition leader Nika] Gvaramia’s advice. Regardless of how offended or angry he may be from his perspective, it is still unacceptable to me that anyone should adopt the narrative of the United National Movement,” Tsilosani said.

The comments came after the Prosecutor’s Office said that an investigation into Jorbenadze’s death, which occurred on April 4, 2026, had involved multiple investigative and procedural measures. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Jorbenadze’s family members, wife and other people who had been in contact with him were questioned, and the available evidence had established the fact of suicide at this stage.

The Prosecutor’s Office also said that, based on public statements made by Garibashvili and others, the Interior Ministry investigation would question Nika Gvaramia, Irma Inashvili, Nanuka Zhorzholiani, Khatia Dekanoidze, Tazo Datunashvili, Gia Khukhashvili, Giorgi Liluashvili, Zaza Davitaia, Ermile Nemsadze and Giorgi Gigauri.