Former Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has acknowledged that during the protests of June 20, 2019—known as Gavrilov Night—he personally gave the order to use tear gas and water cannons, but not rubber bullets or other special means.
He made the relevant statement at the session of the temporary investigative commission of the parliament chaired by Tea Tsulukiani.
In a statement, Gakharia emphasized that his instructions aimed to disperse the crowd without causing serious injuries. “I gave a clear order—use tear gas and water cannons only. The use of other special means was not sanctioned by me,” he said.
The violent dispersal of the protest, triggered by the controversial visit of Russian MP Sergei Gavrilov to the Georgian parliament, left hundreds injured and remains a highly contentious event in Georgian politics. Gakharia’s remarks have reignited debate over accountability and the excessive use of force during the crackdown.
