Georgian opposition experiences criticism after incident with Pozner

Members of the opposition “United National Movement” Party used an uncivilized manner to speak against the visit of Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner to Georgia, and their act damaged the country’s image, claim Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili and Mamuka Mdinaradze, a member of the ruling the “Georgian Dream” Party.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on March 31, activists, including members of the opposition “United National Movement” (UNM) Party, demanded from Russian journalist Vladimir Pozner, who came to Tbilisi to celebrate his birthday, to leave the country, because earlier, he had allegedly spoken out against the country’s territorial integrity. Vladimir Pozner, who planned to leave Georgia on April 3, flew out of Tbilisi this morning.

Vladimir Pozner, who is a US citizen and who has been to Georgia more than once, has not violated the law by arriving in Georgia, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) states. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has also called the Vladimir Pozner’s visit legitimate. “Vladimir Pozner [...] has never violated the law on occupation. He often visits Georgia with his US passport. It was another private visit,” Irakli Garibashvili noted.

Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili criticized the opposition “United National Movement” Party for organizing the protest in such an uncivilized form. “The UNM’s goal [...] is destruction, sabotage, and infliction of maximum damage on our country by hurting the international image of our country. The form of the protest chosen by the UNM Party, which is clearly beyond the limits of civilized norms and standards, was completely unacceptable,” Irakli Garibashvili emphasized.

Mamuka Mdinaradze, the chairman of the “Georgian Dream” faction, also criticized the protesters. “All this is a shameful hysteria wrapped in pseudo-patriotism,” said Mamuka Mdinaradze as quoted on the website of the Georgian “First Channel”.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on April 1, 2021 at 02:13 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.