The Mayor of Tbilisi responds to reports from the Prosecutor General’s Office on alleged links between Mikheil Saakashvili and the 2016 attempted murder of Givi Targamadze, his former ally, in Tbilisi, and alleged “political motives of stirring unrest” were behind the incident, which occurred before the elections that year.

Kakha Kaladze suggested the incident “may have been part of a strategy to provoke unrest” in the country ahead of the 2016 elections, describing UNM as a “dangerous force”.

“If I am not mistaken, the incident occurred before an election, when Givi Targamadze’s car exploded. This may have been intended to undermine the Government, contributing to conflict and a revolutionary agenda. It is likely that the [convicted] individual was sent with malicious intent.

The public is well-aware of who Saakashvili is and what his associates represent. They pose a significant threat to Georgia and its people, so we must exercise caution”, - said the Mayor.

He also underlined the importance of a peaceful electoral process for the upcoming elections, urging “vigilance” against UNM and its leaders: “We must be alert, as we confront profound evil. This group will stop at nothing to instigate discontent and exploit the resulting chaos”.