Georgia condemns terrorist attack in France

Terrorist attack against French journalists in Paris, shattered the world on January 7th. According to some, it was a French version of 9/11. Georgia condemned the attacks. President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili and the Foreign Ministry made official statements condemning the outrageous and barbaric act, which resulted in the deaths of journalists and cartoonists from Charlie Hebdo. In total 17 people lost their lives. PM Gharibashvili mentioned that this terrorist attack was targeted not only against the French people, but also against everyone in the world. Freedom of press and freedom of expression is the highest value to be protected everywhere.

On behalf of the Georgian people, the PM sent condolences to the families of the victims and stated that Georgia stands with them.

President Margvelashvili also gave a statement in which he announced his firm support to France’s leadership and the French people. “We stand together to protect our common welfare,” the president stated.

Chairman of Parliament Davit Usupashvili addressed his letter of condolences to the French Senate and the National Assembly. Usupashvili said in his letter that the terrorist act was against the freedom of speech and modern civilization.

According to Georgian political leaders this act was an attempt to murder an idea of the free world. It is significant that the French people were the ones to bring forward and develop the idea of the “free world”.

The tragedy most probably will become a milestone in the beginning of new substantial steps around the world, mobilizing progressive forces and resources obtained by mankind. It should be mentioned as well that aggressive attacks against smaller neighboring countries could be also labeled as terrorist attacks.

Several political parties and its leaders in their comments concerning the French tragedy, emphasized the fact that Georgia and its military forces have been contributing to world peace and security for several years now, referring to the Georgian military divisions participating in NATO military campaigns.

The Muslims’ Union in Georgia also condemned the brutal act and mentioned that terrorism and fundamentalism does not represent Islam, as extremism serves only to spread hatred and violence. Deputy Chairman of the Muslims Union Tariel Nakaidze expressed his deep regret over the fact, and once again confirmed that the Georgian Muslims distance themselves from religious fundamentalism and the terrorist attacks carried out by the extremist Muslims.

The French Embassy in Georgia started a condolences book and hundreds of Georgians have left their messages for the French people.

Georgian journalists expressed solidarity to their French colleagues by joining the mainstream campaign “Je Suis Charlie”. On Sunday, January 11, European Leaders, including Georgian PM, Gharibashvili, gathered in Paris to participate in the solemn march to honor the victims of the tragedy.

It is significant that most Muslims across the world distance themselves form extremism. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned the attack on Charlie Hebdo, stating that such terrorist acts promote Islamophobia around the world. He also mentioned that Iran supports all the countries in their combat against terrorism.