PM: Vakho Sanaia was acting as a political activist, not as a journalist

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said that journalist Vakho Sanaia was not acting as a journalist in the given case, but rather as a political and party activist who was “grossly insulting specific individuals.”

Kobakhidze made the statement in response to a journalist’s question regarding Sanaia’s detention.

According to the Prime Minister, the fundamental right to freedom of expression does not protect against severe personal insults.

“Regarding freedom of expression, you can read the relevant textbooks, which clearly state that the fundamental right to freedom of expression does not cover or protect the gross insult of an individual. Therefore, some people are even arguing incorrectly from a formal legal perspective. They have a political agenda, and this agenda is to artificially fuel hatred and confrontation in Georgia and create an aggressive environment.

Our national task is not to allow anyone to artificially incite aggression and hatred in Georgia from outside forces. Formal status does not matter here — whether a person is called a journalist or something else. No one should be given the opportunity to spread aggression and hatred,” the Prime Minister said.

Kobakhidze also stated that everyone is equal before the law and that the relevant department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs acted accordingly in Sanaia’s case.