Georgian PM rejects US Senator’s “pure lie” about request to stop funding of domestic “critical” NGOs

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday rejected a claim by United States Senator Jeanne Shaheen, who on Thursday said the PM had asked the US Government to stop funding domestic “critical” non-governmental organisations, as a “pure lie”.

Unfortunately, I will have to make a blunt statement. What Senator Shaheen said is a pure lie. It is unfortunate that such a lie is told by a person who holds the very high status of a US Senator”, the PM said.

“I did not say such a thing at the meeting”, the Government head added in reference to the meeting held on August 10 that involved Shaheen and Congressman Mike Turner.

The PM further called the statement “disturbing”.