r/Sakartvelo

From https://publika.ge/

Author: Sopho Apciauri

>On July 5, 2021, in front of the police, pre-organized violent groups physically assaulted more than 50 media representatives, civic activists and simply citizens with disagreement. They raided and destroyed the offices of activists. They burned the EU flag in front of the Parliament and raised a cross instead. The police was observing all this from a distance, practically, inaction and indifferent.

>After these events, individual criminals were convicted, including the attackers on TV Pirveli operator, Lekso Lashkarava. The violent group of Lashkarava "shame" was corrected while running the office. Natsemi operator was found dead in his home in a few days. The rapists who were close to him left the prison prematurely, with amnesty.

>After July 5, "Alt Info" was able to form a political party - "Conservative Movement". Later, one of the leaders of the party, Zurab Makharadze, became a candidate for mayor of Tbilisi in the self-government elections.

>This begs several questions: How can a group of violent events attain political legitimacy instead of criminal liability? And what role did the state play in this, with action or inaction? Opponents of the government and rights-enforcement organizations have claimed for years that it was the government's inappropriate response and irresponsibility that created an environment in which far-right groups have not only been able to continue their activities, but also strengthen their politics. The government itself disagreed with these assessments and denied that it protected violent groups.

>Meanwhile, the "Institute for Democracy Research" (DRI) reports indicate that "alt-info" and its political wing were characterized by sharply anti-Western and pro-Russian rhetoric, while their messages often coincided with narratives that served Russia's interests.

>According to the organization, the loyal attitude of government institutions towards these groups and the developed political environment of anti-Western rhetoric at the same time helped strengthen them.

>Therefore, in the midst of all this, the questions are still unanswered: Didn't the "Georgian Dream" stop this violence on July 5? While the leaders of Alt Info were directly and publicly calling the population to violence in the previous days; why were the organizers not punished and, in reality, what political or social consequences did this day leave? "The Fifth of July changed the lives of many, many left the profession, including due to health conditions."

>In the video, you will hear how journalists, queer activists became victims of alleged gang violence and what punishment Alt Info leaders received in return.

Yesterday we visited Timotesubani, and it left us absolutely speechless! It's a very pristine and tranquil place: the priests were going about their business — mowing the lawns, arranging rose bouquets, simply chatting — while nature showed off its beauty, with clouds resting on the mountains and good weather despite rain having been forecast. How to get there: our driver took us from Tsagveri (წაღვერი), so I'd guess you could hire a taxi there.

ხალხო, შეხედეთ ამ კადრებს და დაფიქრდით, სადამდე მივიდა ქვეყანა. საქართველოში ყოველდღე „ტრადიციებზე“, „სარწმუნოებაზე“ და „ეროვნულ ღირებულებებზე“ გველაპარაკებიან, რეალურად კი ნახეთ რა ხდება:
საკუთარი** გმირები ფეხებზე ჰკიდიათ,** ტირანებს** კი თავს უხრიან – ოკუპანტი რუსეთის წინააღმდეგ ბრძოლაში დაღუპულ ქართველ გმირებს სათანადო პატივსაც კი არ მიაგებენ, აქ კი ჩასულან ირანში და აიათოლას დაკრძალვაზე თავჩახრილები გლოვობენ.
საქართველოს დროშას **მალავენ – ყაველაშვილს თურმე ირანში შარფი მოახვიეს, რომ პიჯაკზე დამაგრებული საქართველოს სახელმწიფო დროშა დაემალათ. მიზეზი? დროშაზე ჯვრები ახატია და იქ არ შეიძლება გამოჩენაო.
ანუ, საკუთარ ქვეყანაში ვითომ ქრისტიანობის დამცველებად მოგვაქვთ თავი, იქ კი ქვეყნის მთავარ სიმბოლოს, ხუთჯვრიან დროშას მალავთ, ოღონდ ვინმემ შენიშვნა არ მოგცეთ?
ეს არის ნამდვილი სირცხვილი და ამ რეჟიმის რეალური სახე. სარკეში ჩაიხედეთ, ვინც ამათ კიდევ ამართლებთ!
რას ფიქრობთ ამ ყველაფერზე?

Iran's statement:

https://president.ir/fa/164915

Meeting of the Presidents of Iran and Georgia

Dr. Pezeshkian: The enemies thought that Iran would collapse with a military attack, but the unity of our nation became stronger / I will not bow down to any bullying / A very suitable opportunity has emerged for developing relations between Iran and Georgia / Mikheil Kavelashvili: We are eager to remove obstacles to the development of relations with Iran / The historical ties between the two nations provide a basis for expanding cooperation

The President thanked the government and people of Georgia for expressing sympathy and solidarity, and, emphasizing the approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran in support of peace and regional cooperation, called for the expansion of bilateral relations in various fields.

Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a meeting with Mr. Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia, and his accompanying delegation, who had traveled to Tehran to take part in the ceremony of paying tribute to and commemorating the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, thanked the government and people of Georgia for their presence, expressions of sympathy, and messages of condolence, describing this solidarity as a basis for developing bilateral relations.

Referring to the recent aggressions by the United States and the Zionist regime against the Iranian nation, the President described these actions as contrary to the fundamental principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, and the standards of international humanitarian law, and stated: “During these attacks, the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, a number of commanders, officials, scientists, academics, schoolchildren, and innocent citizens of our country were martyred, and parts of the country’s infrastructure were also targeted.”

Dr. Pezeshkian added: “From the perspective of international law, these actions are a clear example of the violation of the national sovereignty of countries and a crime against civilians. However, the Islamic Republic of Iran, within the framework of its inherent right to legitimate defense and relying on its national capabilities, gave a decisive and proportionate response to these aggressions.”

Referring to the objectives of those who designed these attacks, the President noted: “The enemies imagined that by targeting the Leader of the Islamic Revolution and creating widespread pressure, the Islamic Republic of Iran would become unstable and collapse. But the result of this action was nothing other than increased cohesion, solidarity, and national unity among the Iranian nation. The country’s armed forces defended Iran’s security and territorial integrity with authority, and the government, through continuous management of affairs, did not allow the process of providing services and administering the country to be disrupted.”

Dr. Pezeshkian emphasized: “The Islamic Republic of Iran will not bow down to any bully. They want to impose their will on nations, but our nation does not submit to force.”

Criticizing the destabilizing actions of the Zionist regime in the region, the President stated: “The record of this regime in recent years shows that it has played a role in many regional crises and conflicts, and is considered one of the main factors behind instability and insecurity in the region.”

Dr. Pezeshkian continued by emphasizing the principled approach of the Islamic Republic of Iran in support of peace, stability, and regional cooperation, stating: “Iran has always sought to expand friendly and constructive relations with various countries, especially neighboring countries and the surrounding region, and Georgia holds an important place in this approach.”

Referring to the diverse capacities for cooperation between the two countries, the President added: “There are broad grounds for developing relations in the political, economic, trade, scientific, academic, cultural, and tourism fields, and strengthening this cooperation can serve the common interests of both nations.”

Dr. Pezeshkian described the presence of the President of Georgia in Tehran as a sign of the will of the two countries to develop relations, and expressed hope that this visit would pave the way for strengthening ties, interactions, and bilateral cooperation in all areas.

In this meeting, Mr. Mikheil Kavelashvili, President of Georgia, also expressed the sincere condolences and sympathy of the government and people of Georgia on the occasion of the martyrdom of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution and a number of Iranian citizens, stating: “Georgia followed this loss with great sorrow and stood beside the Iranian nation during these difficult days.”

Referring to the historical background of relations between the two countries, Mikheil Kavelashvili said: “Iran and Georgia have had deep historical, cultural, and human relations for centuries, and after Georgia’s independence, the development of bilateral relations has also been pursued seriously.”

Referring to his country’s positions regarding recent regional developments, the President of Georgia stated: “Georgia has always emphasized the need to establish peace, respect the national sovereignty of countries, and recognize the legitimate right of nations to defend themselves, and it has remained committed to these same principles regarding recent developments.”

Saying that relations between the two countries are at a desirable level, Mikheil Kavelashvili noted: “Despite the existing achievements, there are many capacities for upgrading relations in various fields, and we must make use of the opportunities ahead to develop cooperation.”

The President of Georgia thanked the Islamic Republic of Iran for its positions in support of his country’s territorial integrity, and added: “Based on historical ties and mutual respect, the two countries can further expand their cooperation in the political, economic, trade, cultural, scientific, and educational fields.”

Mikheil Kavelashvili also emphasized Georgia’s readiness to remove existing obstacles on the path of developing relations, and said: “Georgia is determined, through cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, to open a new chapter in bilateral relations and turn relations between the two countries into a successful model of cooperation and friendship in the region.”

Referring to the civilizational and historical background of the two nations, the President of Georgia stated: “Iran and Georgia have ancient and deeply rooted civilizations, and these historical commonalities can serve as a valuable foundation for deepening relations and drawing new horizons for cooperation between the two countries.”

Georgia's statement (Kavelashvili's Facebook post):

https://www.facebook.com/MikheilKavelashviliOfficial/posts/pfbid03m8fF3EjBj4toi4GrTJkX6QqBXfx1nfNg7NxxSEJSR769sXsCLiTxCVjTi8j6ZEpl

Within the framework of my visit to Tehran, I attended the funeral ceremony of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei alongside leaders from various countries of the region and the world. During the visit, I met with the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian. I once again expressed my condolences over the tragic events that took place in Iran and paid tribute to the memory of those who perished.

At the meeting, I noted that Georgia supports all efforts aimed at achieving peace, stability, and de-escalation in the region. The relations between our countries are based on mutual respect and consideration of national interests. I thanked President Pezeshkian for his support of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I am confident that cooperation built on good neighborly relations will continue to contribute to the development of our countries' relationship and to a stable and peaceful future for our region.

@supraforyou