The News in Brief
Monday, May 22, 2023
Prepared by Messenger Staff
President of Georgia Declares Boycott of Georgian Airways Over Founder's Pro-Russian Remarks and Flights to Moscow
During the briefing, the President of Georgia declared her decision to boycott Georgian Airways following remarks made by the company's founder, Tamaz Gaiashvili, who expressed support for the Russian President's decision to lift the visa requirements for Georgian citizens and reinstate direct flights between the two countries. Furthermore, the President's announcement came after Georgian Airways initiated regular flights between Tbilisi and Moscow, which began on May 20.
Salome Zourabichvili acknowledged that the boycott may not have a significant impact, but she encouraged others to join her.
According to President Zourabichviil's statement, she believes that "Georgian Airways" is a company that takes full advantage of the state in order to accumulate wealth.
'Georgian Airways' is a company that takes full advantage of the state to accumulate wealth. This has been the case under all governments, including during the Covid pandemic. Now, they are trying to exploit the new situation, which is unacceptable to a significant portion of our population. Additionally, I will refrain from using their services until the company's ownership changes, as I do not wish to contribute to their enrichment. It is evident that "Georgian Airways" is willing to do anything for money, as seen from the statements made by its leadership," stated Zourabichvili.
In response to the boycott announced by the President of Georgia, "Georgian Airways" has declared President Salome Zourabichvili as persona non grata and has prohibited her from utilizing their services.
Elene Khoshtaria, Leader of Droa Party, Released from Detention Center and Declines Court Attendance
Elene Khoshtaria, the leader of the "Droa" party, has been released from the pre-trial detention center after being arrested in Kakheti under an administrative procedure. She has stated that she will not be attending court.
Elene Khoshtaria stated that after witnessing the police's behavior in Kvareli, she traveled to Kakheti where she personally witnessed the chief of police physically expelling a lawyer and activists from a building. In response, she confronted the police chief physically. Khoshtaria emphasized that when the police protect Lavrov at the expense of abusing and violating the rights of their own citizens, they should expect a similar response. She justified her actions by stating that the police chief deserved it for mistreating citizens and prioritizing Lavrov's protection.
"What happened in Kvareli, how the police behaved-after that, naturally, I went to Kakheti and, directly in front of me, I believe it was the chief of police, physically expelled the lawyer and activists from the building. That's why I confronted him physically. I want to emphasize that the police, who are protecting Lavrov, are abusing their own citizens and trampling on their rights. Yes, they will receive a similar response. Yes, I confronted the police chief, who deserved it because he mistreated citizens and protected Lavrov," said Khoshtaria.
According to Khoshtaria, she has no intention of cooperating with the court.
"I do not cooperate with the court at any stage because, in my view, it is not a legitimate court but rather a sanctioned 'clan' group. I do not mean to offend anyone individually, but as a system, it operates like a slave system. Therefore, I will not attend, pay the fine, or cooperate in any way," said Khoshtaria.
All 17 individuals, including Lasha Parulava, a member of the political council of the United National Movement, and Giorgi Lomidze, who were arrested during the protests near Kvareli Lake Resort Hotel, have been released.
President of Georgia Declares Boycott of Georgian Airways Over Founder's Pro-Russian Remarks and Flights to Moscow
Salome Zourabichvili acknowledged that the boycott may not have a significant impact, but she encouraged others to join her.
According to President Zourabichviil's statement, she believes that "Georgian Airways" is a company that takes full advantage of the state in order to accumulate wealth.
'Georgian Airways' is a company that takes full advantage of the state to accumulate wealth. This has been the case under all governments, including during the Covid pandemic. Now, they are trying to exploit the new situation, which is unacceptable to a significant portion of our population. Additionally, I will refrain from using their services until the company's ownership changes, as I do not wish to contribute to their enrichment. It is evident that "Georgian Airways" is willing to do anything for money, as seen from the statements made by its leadership," stated Zourabichvili.
In response to the boycott announced by the President of Georgia, "Georgian Airways" has declared President Salome Zourabichvili as persona non grata and has prohibited her from utilizing their services.
Elene Khoshtaria, Leader of Droa Party, Released from Detention Center and Declines Court Attendance
Elene Khoshtaria stated that after witnessing the police's behavior in Kvareli, she traveled to Kakheti where she personally witnessed the chief of police physically expelling a lawyer and activists from a building. In response, she confronted the police chief physically. Khoshtaria emphasized that when the police protect Lavrov at the expense of abusing and violating the rights of their own citizens, they should expect a similar response. She justified her actions by stating that the police chief deserved it for mistreating citizens and prioritizing Lavrov's protection.
"What happened in Kvareli, how the police behaved-after that, naturally, I went to Kakheti and, directly in front of me, I believe it was the chief of police, physically expelled the lawyer and activists from the building. That's why I confronted him physically. I want to emphasize that the police, who are protecting Lavrov, are abusing their own citizens and trampling on their rights. Yes, they will receive a similar response. Yes, I confronted the police chief, who deserved it because he mistreated citizens and protected Lavrov," said Khoshtaria.
According to Khoshtaria, she has no intention of cooperating with the court.
"I do not cooperate with the court at any stage because, in my view, it is not a legitimate court but rather a sanctioned 'clan' group. I do not mean to offend anyone individually, but as a system, it operates like a slave system. Therefore, I will not attend, pay the fine, or cooperate in any way," said Khoshtaria.
All 17 individuals, including Lasha Parulava, a member of the political council of the United National Movement, and Giorgi Lomidze, who were arrested during the protests near Kvareli Lake Resort Hotel, have been released.