Bidzina Ivanishvili talked about the recent high-profile cases at today"s press conference. Chairperson of "Georgian Dream" suggested that the ongoing protest led by Zaza Saralidze, father of one of the teenagers murdered in controversial Khorava Street stabbing last December, was “politicized” and led by the United National Movement.

Ivanishvili also attacked the NGO sector. Former PM has demanded Eka Gigauri, executive director of Transparency International Georgia to leave the NGO sector.

Despite Bidzina Ivanishvili"s appeal, Eka Gigauri is not going to leave the third sector. The head of the Transparency International Georgia office promises the former prime minister that she will still be critical of the government if the cases of Saralidze and Partskhaladze are not investigated.

Ivanishvili repeated his criticism of Rustavi 2 TV, a national broadcaster leaning strongly towards the opposition. He said the TV channel propagates “lies” and “biased” information.

“The media is entitled and obliged to scrutinize and be critical towards the authorities, and of course, the government head, the parliament chairman or the party leader should have immediate reaction to corruption allegations, but Rustavi 2 does the opposite – it has failed to fulfil its function and it is exactly the working manner of Rustavi 2 that has enabled some [corrupt] officials to cover up [their crimes],” he said.

Ivanishvili then said freedom of speech and media, “the government’s main achievement,” will be guaranteed by the authorities, but added that the party “will spare no efforts to give everything its due name – to identify what is a lie and to respond to what’s correct criticism.

The opposition called attack of Ivanishvili on media and non-governmental sectors another attempt to discredit democratic institutions .

The former PM also spoke about the dispute between businessman Vano Chkhartishvili and TBC Bank.

Gia Khukhashvili, his former adviser, became another target of Bidzina Ivanishvili"s attack. Former prime minister called Khukhashvili an incapable expert and accused him of the deal with the "National Movement".

Bidzina Ivanishvili once again acknowledged that he had information about former Chief Prosecutor Otar Partskhaladze beating Levan Kipiani, former sports minister. However, he again justified the former Chief Prosecutor.