Russian FM calls Georgian journalists in Geneva ‘sick’

Georgian journalists say that they were insulted by Russian FM Sergey Lavrov. Photo: AP. 

Agenda.ge, 25 Feb 2020 - 16:40, Tbilisi,Georgia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called Georgian journalists in Geneva ‘sick’ who were trying to receive an answer from Lavrov as to whether he will come to the CoE ministerial in Tbilisi in May later this year. 

You are sick, girls! “ Lavrov told journalists of Imedi TV and the Georgian Public Broadcaster. 

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova wrote on Facebook that the journalists ‘attacked’ the Rusian delegation. 

The video has been released by the Georgian Public Broadcaster. 

She said  that Georgian journalists were shouting and pushing their way to Lavrov.

  I had to push back the women who had lost all their dignity in order to go forward. And you know what they wanted? It is impossible to believe! Just an answer to one question: whether Lavrov will come to Tbilisi... This is already some kind of clouding of mind, ,” Zakharova wrote, adding that ‘boss’ wasn’t injured. 

 Zakharova also wrote that when Georgian journalists were asking the question in Russian, ‘they shouted - don’t touch me! in English’. 

The style of Saakashvili [the third President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili] falling to the ground under the shelling of Russian aircraft [during the Russia-Georgia 2008 war],” she said. 

Georgia is scheduled to host the CoE ministerial in Tbilisi in May 2020 as the CoE chair country which might be attended by the Russian officials who had violated the law on the occupied territories - visited the two Russian occupied regions of Georgia Abkhazia and Tskhinvali without any consent from Tbilisi. 

The Georgian opposition strongly opposes Russia’s participation in the ministerial, stating that the delegation from the country may include Lavrov, or other Russian officials who had violated the law. 

Georgian state officials say that the country will adhere to its international obligations and will make a decision regarding the ministerial through the consultations with international partners.