“I heard about the attack on Lasha Gabitashvili in the morning. Violence is unacceptable. I call on the opposition to stop speculations,” said Irakli Zarkua, the Georgian Dream (GD) party lawmaker.

According to Zarkua, the investigation will determine the details denying his participation in the incident.

“If anyone suspects me, it’s is not my style. When he did wrong, I responded openly, in front of cameras and many people. I will behave in the same way when it has to do with offending my family members and relatives. We spoke about this incident later and he expressed his viewpoint. We settled the issue and I believe that not a single youngster or the sect of homelessless people should allow someone to use them. This case is over,” he said.

Irakli Zarkua stated that he would arrive for questioning if he was summoned to the police and called on the opposition to stop speculations.

“I call on the opposition to stop speculations over the issue and mind their business. They cannot show up at rallies without guards and use the youngsters. This person is characterized by provocative behaviour and it could have been a neighbour, friend or anybody who he offended. Investigation will determine whether assailants were masked or not,” he stated.

Lasha Gabitashvili, a participant in the Abu Dhabi incident involving Georgian Dream MPs, reported earlier on Tuesday that three masked individuals attacked him while walking his dog. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) opened an investigation under Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia that pertains to violence committed in a group.

For information, a physical confrontation occurred between the Georgian Dream party MPs Irakli Zarkua and Victor Sanikidze and citizen Lasha Gabitashvili in Abu Dhabi earlier this year. Footage of the incident has circulated on social media.