Irakli Kobakhidze, the Chairman of Georgian Dream, stated that the only fundamental difference between the former president of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili, and Anders Breivik is that Breivik “killed only 77 people, while Saakashvili killed hundreds of people.”
Kobakhidze assessed the presentation of an award to Saakashvili in the field of protection of human rights as cynical.
“This is, of course, cynicism. It doesn’t matter who presents this award, when Saakashvili is given an award in the field of human rights in Norway, it’s just cynicism. Regarding the comparison with Breivik, I would say one thing, the principle difference is the only one between Breivik and Saakashvili – Breivik killed only 77 people and Saakashvili killed hundreds of people in prisons, in August, etc. This is the only fundamental difference between Breivik and Saakashvili,” Kobakhidze said.
As for Saakashvili’s health, according to Kobakhidze, he is trying to lose weight, which is why his family members bring low-calorie food. He called on Saakashvili’s family members not to incite him to self-harm, as “self-harm can never be a reason for a prisoner’s release.”
Ambassador of Norway Helene Sand Andersen was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia regarding the Norwegian conservative party’s presentation of the award for the promotion of human rights to Mikheil Saakashvili and the comments made by the Norwegian ambassador.
“The ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia was explained the negative attitude of the Georgian side due to the mentioned fact, which is related to the violations of human rights and abuse of power by the authorities during the rule of Mikheil Saakashvili, for which Saakashvili and a number of representatives of his government have been convicted or have already served their sentences”, – states the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili claimed earlier that handing over the Norwegian prize to Saakashvili is an insult and mockery of the Georgian people, as “he is the creator of a murderous regime.”
He claimed that “handing over said prize to Saakashvili is the same as if a country awarded Breivik, who was convicted of murdering many people in Norway.”
By Ana Dumbadze
