Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze stated that neither the government nor the ruling party "Georgian Dream" has any complaints against Tornike Rizhvadze, the former Chairman of the Adjara Government.
Responding to journalists’ questions, Kobakhidze dismissed speculation about Rizhvadze, accusing the media of spreading what he called “shameful lies.”
“I am constantly monitoring the developments regarding Tornike Rizhvadze. As for the rest, investigative bodies will share relevant information,” he said.
Kobakhidze reiterated multiple times that no accusations have been made against Rizhvadze and emphasized his continued good relationship with him even after his departure from office.
“We have never accused Tornike Rizhvadze of anything. I can say with full responsibility, no one has any complaints against him. I had a very warm and positive relationship with him, even after he stepped down,” he noted, calling Rizhvadze’s resignation part of a normal political rotation.
Kobakhidze also addressed claims that Rizhvadze had been threatened, saying such allegations should be the main focus of any investigation.
In a broader criticism of the media, Kobakhidze said certain TV channels create “a stressful environment” by spreading false narratives.
“You [the media] frame a thousand lies... you create a stressful environment for people with your shameful lies,” he said, referencing an example in which a news outlet falsely claimed a Ministry of Internal Affairs swimming pool was being closed for his personal use. “That’s a shameful lie. I’ve never even been to that pool.”
Kobakhidze concluded by urging journalists to act more responsibly, stressing that misleading reports damage public trust and individual reputations.
