Garibashvili calls Georgian soldiers in August war ‘extremely brave’, Saakashvili – ‘extremely coward’

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili has praised an ‘extreme heroism’ of Georgian soldiers in the Russia-Georgia 2008 war, stating that the former President, currently imprisoned Mikheil Saakashvili, had shown ‘ extreme cowardice’ during the armed conflict.

 

Garibashvili’s comments come on the heels of the opposition’s criticism over the Georgian government’s stance on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

 

“Traitorous, radical groups (referring to Saakashvili’s United National Movement opposition) have no right to teach us how to love the country,” Garibashvili said today.

 

The Georgian Dream ruling party and current authorities believe that Saakashvili was provoked by Russians back in 2008 ‘which led to the occupation of Georgian territories.’

 

The current government has refused to join international sanctions against Russia for which the opposition slams the government.

 

For its part the government says that joining the sanctions would have harmed the interests of the Georgian people, noting that the country has stood by Ukraine in all international resolutions and platforms.