Former Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has sharply criticized a recent statement made by Tea Tsulukiani, in which the current Culture Minister referred to fallen Georgian hero Giorgi Antsukhelidze as “pointlessly doomed” for someone’s PR campaign — a clear reference to ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.
Zurabishvili condemned the remark, stating:
“When you publicly declare a national hero ‘senselessly doomed’, isn’t this a crime before the law and the constitution — and tantamount to treason?”
She emphasized that Giorgi Antsukhelidze’s sacrifice during the 2008 Russia-Georgia war was not only meaningful and honorable, but also emblematic of Georgian patriotism and dignity. Zurabishvili called for respect toward fallen heroes and warned against politicizing their legacy for current political gain.
Tea Tsulukiani stated on the Georgian Public Broadcaster: “To put it simply, why is Giorgi Antsukhelidze not at home today? I have the right to ask this question along with my comrades. Who should forbid me from asking this question? No one. We are asking this question. Every child needs their parents to be at home and not pointlessly doomed for someone’s PR, in this case I mean Saakashvili.”
Related story: Tea Tsulukiani: Why isn’t Giorgi Antsukhelidze home? Saakashvili sacrificed him for PR
