“We will not forgive anyone who attacks the police. It is unacceptable, a red line that we will not compromise on,” at the Cabinet meeting today, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili remarked on Lazare Grigoriadis, who is suspected of assaulting a police officer and destroying public property at a rally on March 7-9.

“A few days ago, the police arrested the officer’s assailant. We’ve all seen the video of how an anarchist tossed a Molotov cocktail at the police. That is, this person wanted to burn the policeman alive. I stated unequivocally that we would not forgive anyone. This is unacceptable, a red line that we will not compromise on. The people also saw that the idea was far more complex. They planned to create continuous chaos, with the ultimate goal of destabilizing our nation and changing the government violently, which they did not and will not succeed in.

These anarchists and their instructors were ready for provocations, and attacks on police, and, of course, all of this is evident. People realized that the objective of this was far broader, courtesy to the police once again. “The state stood firm, demonstrating strength and intelligence,” Irakli Garibashvili said.

According to the Prime Minister, the country’s degraded, radical opposition does not seek high economic growth, peace, and stability and is ready to risk its own country and people’s safety.

“I’d want to emphasize once again if anyone rejects today the positive things I’ve said, welfare, that our people see more income, this is exactly the degraded, radical opposition, which is totally ineffective. They do not want the country to have strong economic growth, peace, and stability; they are ready to risk their own country, the country’s security, and, most importantly, the security of the people. As a result, I want to be absolutely transparent with everyone. Now, the government is at its zenith, standing robust and powerful. We preserve peace, stability, and rapid economic growth, and no one can stop us. This is what I want to say to them. Our national interests are at stake here, as are the interests of our people and the country, and we will fight this battle unapologetically. Of course, what happened is very unacceptable. Everyone, who is accused and exposed in the police onslaught, should be punished,” stated Irakli Garibashvili.

Lazare Grigoriadis, who was charged with attacking a police officer and causing property damage at the demonstration on Rustaveli Avenue on March 7, 8, and 9, was incarcerated as a precaution. According to the investigation’s findings, 21-year-old Lazare Grigoriadis threw stones and so-called stones Molotov cocktails at police officers during the demonstration, injuring law enforcement officers. According to the investigation, the defendant set fire to a vehicle belonging to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.