A group including actor Giorgi Shanidze, director Giorgi Sikharulidze, and Batumi Theater Director Kote Mzhavia has announced the creation of an initiative group aimed at protecting what it calls Georgia’s “national values.”
The announcement was reported by the pro-government TV channel ‘Rustavi 2’.
Speaking at a briefing, actor Giorgi Shanidze said freedom of expression is a fundamental value, but argued it should not be used to insult what he described as the country’s historical, cultural, and spiritual foundations.
Shanidze claimed that certain groups, acting “in accordance with the task received from the outside,” had brought the country close to “an open civil confrontation” between the Georgian people and “destructive groups financed from abroad.” He did not provide evidence to support the claim.
He said the initiative group plans to launch consultations with lawyers, legal experts, historians, and representatives of the arts, sports, and other sectors to prepare a legislative proposal. The group also called on the Georgian government, Parliament, and other state institutions to participate in the process.
The announcement comes two days after Giorgi Kartvelishvili and his associates applied to register an organization called ‘National Generation’.
The organization’s charter states that its goal is to protect, preserve, and promote Georgia’s national identity, statehood, cultural heritage, traditions, and national values. Its founders are Giorgi Kartvelishvili, Nia Mchedlishvili, and Levani Kurashvili.
Kartvelishvili has requested expedited registration, with the Public Registry expected to issue a decision within one day after the registration process is completed.
On June 27, Kartvelishvili announced at a press conference that he intended to work to protect what he called Georgia’s “national sanctities” and said he was prepared to “face danger and even imprisonment” for that cause.
Kartvelishvili is an MMA fighter. State-aligned media have described him as a friend of Nika Khurtsilava, who attacked comedian and activist Onise Okriashvili. His public campaign also emerged following the assault on Okriashvili.
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