Parliament Vice Speaker denounces UNM member’s “lies” about meeting between Gov’t officials, wrestler Nurmagomedov at Euro 2024

Gia Volski, the First Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Friday denounced a comment by Levan Khabeishvili, the Chair of the Political Council of the opposition United National Movement party, that claimed officials of the Georgian Government had met with Khabib Nurmagomedov, a renowned mixed martial artist, on the sidelines of the ongoing European Football Championship in Germany to discuss “bringing hundreds of muscular individuals” from the North Caucasus to Georgia for physical assaults on opposition activists ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled in the country in October.

Volski alleged Khabeishvili was “spreading false information” with the claims on the alleged plan to bring “300-500” individuals “from another country” for the purpose ahead of the voting.

It is characteristic of him to invent such tales. Meeting Nurmagomedov, an outstanding athlete, is no different than meeting any other athlete who has muscles and has shown himself, especially if he has been invited to a European tournament”, the ruling party member said.

The party official further added Khabeishvili’s comments had ”nothing to do with reality”.