Ruling party MP slams jailed opposition leader Japaridze for “hatred toward Georgian identity”

Rati Ionatamishvili, Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Human Rights and Civil Integration Committee, harshly criticized jailed opposition leader Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze for his remarks questioning the intellectual capabilities of athlete-turned-politicians in Georgia, including current President Mikheil Kavelashvili.

Referring to Japaridze’s recent Facebook post, Ionatamishvili said it “proves once again that neither he nor his like-minded allies have any moral right to be involved in Georgian politics,” accusing them of harboring “extreme hatred toward this country, its people, culture, and traditions.”

Defending former footballer and now President Mikheil Kavelashvili, Ionatamishvili argued that political leadership does not only require education or intellect but “a sense of intuition and sincere love for the homeland,” which he claims is lacking in the radical opposition.

He mocked Japaridze’s criticism of athlete-politicians as elitist and hypocritical: “While he flaunts his intellect, he ‘defends’ the country with his pants down,” Ionatamishvili said, referencing Japaridze’s past protest stunts.

Ionatamishvili went on to praise figures like Kavelashvili, Kakhaber Kaladze, Vitali Klitschko, George Weah, and other sports figures who transitioned into successful political careers, calling Japaridze’s stance a reflection of a broader disconnect within the opposition.

“Those who don’t understand the concept of homeland and think politics is about serving foreign interests will remain symbolically — and literally — with their pants down,” he concluded.