“Giorgi Gakharia did not attend the Munich Security Conference to pose for photographs. One only needs to look at Maka Botchorishvili, for example, who was also present and took numerous photos; her album is available for anyone interested in browsing. Giorgi Gakharia has never attended events for the purpose of being photographed,” said MP Tata Khvedeliani, a member of the Gakharia for Georgia party.

Khvedeliani was asked directly whether Gakharia had in fact been present at the Munich Security Conference, and why the party had not released any photo or video coverage to confirm it.

“Giorgi Gakharia had high-level meetings during the Munich Conference. Our political party has always had the confidence to speak openly about everything. Gakharia attended the event to hold high-level meetings. When the time is right, he will speak about them without question. Giorgi Gakharia does not consult television companies about his schedule, his agenda, or when he chooses to share – or not share – a photograph. He doesn’t clear his agenda with Georgian Dream either, and he never did, not even when he was Prime Minister.

It’s quite amusing, frankly—if you need photographs and spectacle, Madam Botchorishvili has a veritable collection of photo albums to offer, including plenty of handshake pictures. The meetings Gakharia held were precisely the kind that Georgian Dream couldn’t even dream of securing these days, because they have, in practice, nothing left to their name beyond a handshake. Entertain yourselves with Madam Botchorishvili’s photographs in the meantime, until Giorgi Gakharia decides to post his own,” said Khvedeliani.