PM Kobakhidze brands anti-Gov’t rally participants ‘UNM orcs’

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Thursday called the participants of an anti-Government rally in central Tbilisi on the previous day “orcs” of the United National Movement opposition party.

Speaking to journalists, Kobakhidze said protesters were in a “hysterical state” and had “lost their faces,” adding: “We saw disfigured ‘UNM orcs’ leading yesterday’s rally. Their condition is tragic. We are even ready to offer them help, including medical treatment, if they accept it.”

The Prime Minister also claimed that non-governmental organisations present at the demonstration protesting the arrest of pro-European protesters and then the opening of the election office for incumbent Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze  were “no different” from opposition activists, alleging they were financed from abroad. “We will do everything to protect our national interests from them as well,” he said.

Kobakhidze’s also commented on the incident involving Beka Odisharia, a former MP and current Georgian Dream city assembly candidate, who insulted journalists and demonstrators during a confrontation in Tbilisi.

Video footage shared online showed Odisharia being escorted by police away from demonstrators outside an event marking the opening of Kaladze’s campaign headquarters. Protesters threw water at him before he responded with insults, at one point swearing at a photographer from Publika and calling demonstrators “slaves.”

When asked whether Odisharia’s behaviour was acceptable, Kobakhidze replied: “Don’t ask me that, I won’t answer,” but added that the party would speak to Odisharia if necessary.