Salome Zurabishvili Attacked at Tbilisi Airport
Georgia’s fifth president, Salome Zurabishvili, was met with hostility at Tbilisi International Airport in the early hours of February 18, where she was pelted with eggs. A video of the incident was shared by government-backed propagandist Lisa Gegechkori, who wrote: “Salome also had breakfast today. Like Gakharia, she had eggs for breakfast—this is what betraying the country tastes like.”
In response, Zurabishvili demanded an investigation into the attack.
“Today, I filed a complaint and demanded an investigation. We will pursue this matter to the end. This was a premeditated act of violence, which was then justified by politicians and the ruling Georgian Dream party. It doesn’t matter whether they recognize me as president or not—this is about the state. Their actions show they have no respect for the state.
This isn’t about me. In this case, I symbolise what the Georgian Dream is fighting against—the Georgian state, its traditions, and its values of politeness and dignity. These principles were abandoned long ago, damaging Georgia’s image in the world.
The only thing they seem capable of doing is imposing repressive measures, one after another, and throwing eggs. How weak must a government be to resort to such actions? But I hesitate to even call them a government at this point—they have become a regime.
And what does it say about this regime when it targets a woman, an elderly woman, and claims she is not the president? Fine, don’t recognize me—it doesn’t matter. But behaving this way? If this isn’t a sign of weakness, I don’t know what is,” Zurabishvili said.
Meanwhile, members of the ruling party justified the attack. Deputy Guram Macharashvili stated: “What is Zurabishvili surprised about? We warned her that moving freely would be difficult.”
Another ruling party deputy, Irakli Kirtskhalia, added: “You reap what you sow—that’s a Georgian saying.”
Two days earlier, at Tbilisi Airport, former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia and his team were also targeted with eggs by government-aligned provocateurs, known as Titushki.
Mzia Amaglobeli Ends Hunger Strike
Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has ended her hunger strike after 38 days. Her letter, sent from the Vivamed clinic, was read during a press briefing by Batumelebi editor Eter Turadze.
In her letter, Amaglobeli stated that she will now focus on restoring her nutrition with the help of doctors.
*”In the wake of the tragedy in Batumi’s ‘City of Dreams,’ where two young children fell into a ditch and lost their lives, it is incredibly difficult for me to hear concerns about my health and well-being. Over the coming days, I will try to gradually restore my nutrition with the support of doctors.
I want to express my gratitude to the prisoners of conscience, Temur Katamadze and Nikoloz Javakhishvili, for their solidarity. We urge them to also end their hunger strike.
I feel a deep sense of responsibility toward my colleagues, friends, and family. I do not want my hunger strike to weaken you—you must continue to fight for me as well.”*
The letter was sent from the clinic where she is currently receiving medical care.
Meanwhile, Netgazeti editor Nestan Tsetskhladze, who was at the Vivamed clinic, expressed gratitude to Amaglobeli for ending her hunger strike. He emphasized that this decision has strengthened their resolve to continue fighting for Amaglobeli’s release, as well as for the release of all political prisoners.
Mtavari TV Suspends All Programs Amid Financial Crisis Allegedly Caused by Okuashvili
Since the morning of February 15, live broadcasts on Mtavari TV, a channel critical of the ruling Georgian Dream party, have been suspended. According to the network, “Due to the artificial financial crisis created by co-founder Zaza Okuashvili, all live programs have been halted at this stage, as they involve additional daily expenses.”
The channel’s founder, Nika Gvaramia, claims that Mtavari TV has sufficient funds, but Okuashvili is deliberately blocking their use.
“The explanation is simple: Main TV has money, but Okuashvili is preventing its spending. As a result, journalists, cameramen, technical staff, and other employees are not receiving their salaries. The channel is in a state of emergency—despite having funds, Okuashvili is blocking financial transactions,” Gvaramia stated.
In response, Zaza Okuashvili denies these claims, alleging that Gvaramia orchestrated the shutdown of Mtavari TV and that the network’s General Director implemented it through an “arbitrary and illegal decision.” Okuashvili further asserts that the channel’s statements are intended to discredit him, falsely portraying him as the one responsible for shutting down the network.