Unacceptable for foreign officials to interfere in Georgia’s domestic issues, says President

Georgia’s President Giorgi Margvelashvili held a special briefing this afternoon about the recently released audio recordings that encouraged an alleged coup in Georgia. 

Margvelashvili condemned the content of the leaked conversation, where Georgia’s ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili urged opposition United National Movement (UNM) leader Giga Bokeria and Rustavi 2 private broadcaster director Nika Gvaramia to plan unrest in the country in response to Rustavi’s 2 ownership dispute.

The President reminded everyone that one of Georgia's best achievements was changing the government through democratic  elections. 

"The epoch of revolutions completed in the country. Those who still think on such scenarios stand far from reality.

 I have stated many times and I repeat that an official of some other state must not interfere in Georgia’s domestic issues and plan some kind of unrest,” Margvelashvili said.

The President appealed to the public to remain calm and not be provoked  by the controversial conversation. 

He stressed for people to act within the constitution, respect human rights and media freedom. 

In the recent phone conversations ex-president Saakashvili told Gvaramia and Bokeria to transform the Rustavi 2 building into a fortress, with iron barricades and armed people, adding the situation should end with "shooting.” 

The trio -Saakashvili, Bokeria and Gvaramia - confirmed the recordings were authentic.