Georgian Parliament Speaker: 105 years ago, Russia attacked free Georgian state - on 105th anniversary, Britain attacked free Georgian media
Shalva Papuashvili
Photo: Parliament of Georgia
Georgian parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday commented on the decision of the UK authorities to impose sanctions on Imedi TV and POSTV, claiming that Russia attacked the free Georgian state 105 years ago, and on the 105th anniversary Britain attacked free Georgian media.
In his remarks, Papuashvili noted that Imedi TV was a television channel trusted by 40 percent of Georgia’s population, which is why there was an attempt to silence “the truth”.
“Russia attacked Georgia 105 years ago because it did not like our state and wanted to stop its existence, while Britain has attacked free Georgian media in order to suppress free speech”, the speaker said.
“I will not even comment on the explanation they offered - absolute nonsense. How can it be unacceptable that a television channel said Ukraine is a corrupt state? It is not just corrupt, it is extremely corrupt. As for the motives, disinformation clearly does not concern Britain at all”, he continued.
Papushvili further claimed that individuals linked to Georgian opposition media operated from the UK, alleging that David Kezerashvili, whom he described as the owner of Formula TV, and Mamuka Khazaradze, whom he called a financier of TV Pirveli, are based there.
Papuashvili also alleged that Britain had recently planned to finance the party-affiliated outlet Tabula.
“There are no values. I think the modern world has already shown us this. The Americans have shown us most clearly the true face of Europeans and the British - all the falsehood and hypocrisy of those who claim to stand on values”, he said, alleging that thousands of people in the UK have been detained over comments they made.
“When Britain fights the truth, this is the best illustration of what we are dealing with”, the speaker added.
Papuashvili concluded that the actions currently being used by the UK against Georgia constituted elements of a hybrid warfare tactic.
All News
25 February 2026, 15:48
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker slams Zelenskyy for lack of gratitude, vows support for Ukrainian people
Georgia Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday issued a sharp critique of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leadership, stating that while Georgia stands with the Ukrainian people, its political leadership has proven “ungrateful”.
25 February 2026, 15:06
Foreign policy
Georgian Parliament official says Western officials urged Georgia toward “economic suicide” over sanctions on Russia
Nikoloz Samkharadze, the chair of the foreign relations committee of the Georgian Parliament, on Wednesday stressed over the last four years, Western officials had been urging Georgia to commit an economic suicide by imposing bilateral sanctions on Russia that would not only jeopardize the security and stability of the country but expose the statehood to severe existential threats.
25 February 2026, 13:37
Politics
Georgian PM pledges basic right to media freedom will be protected for each journalist
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday lashed out at the British government's decision to impose sanctions on two Georgian television stations, Imedi TV and POSTV, describing the move as a reflection of a “tragic state” within European and British bureaucracy.
25 February 2026, 13:23
Politics
Georgian PM: all state, private companies must continue cooperation with Imedi TV, POSTV
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Wednesday said that the fundamental right to media freedom for all television stations in Georgia, including Imedi TV and POSTV, will remain inviolable.
25 February 2026, 12:39
Politics
Georgian PM: all measures will be taken to protect media freedom for Imedi TV, POSTV
Georgian prime minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Tuesday pledged that his government would take every necessary action to ensure the fundamental right to media freedom for television stations Imedi TV and POSTV.
25 February 2026, 11:54
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker marks 105 years since Soviet occupation with call for national strength
On the anniversary of the 1921 Soviet occupation, the Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili issued a statement reflecting on February 25 as a date that continues to shape Georgia’s modern reality.
25 February 2026, 11:35
Politics
Georgia President: we want to live together with our Ossetian and Abkhaz brothers and sisters in a united Georgia
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Tuesday doubled down on Georgia’s commitment to a peaceful and sincere dialogue regarding the country’s Russian-occupied regions, stating that Georgia will “certainly be reunified”.
25 February 2026, 11:24
Politics
Georgian President dismisses British sanctions against TV channels Imedi, POSTV as “smile-inducing”
Georgian president Mikheil Kavelashvili on Tuesday dismissed recent British sanctions against Georgian television channels Imedi and POSTV, calling the move “smile-inducing”.
24 February 2026, 22:01
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker: cynical to claim no one asked for second front, then criticise Georgia for not escalating with Russia
Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Tuesday accused the European Union of displaying considerable cynicism by denying in the morning that Georgia was asked to open a “second front” against Russia, only to express disappointment by afternoon that Georgia did not escalate.
24 February 2026, 21:29
Politics
Former British diplomat Ian Proud slams UK sanctions on Imedi TV as “ridiculous”, “unfair”
Former British diplomat and global crisis management expert Ian Proud on Tuesday expressed shock and strong disapproval over the United Kingdom’s sanctions on the Georgian television channel Imedi TV.
24 February 2026, 21:27
Politics
Georgian Parliament official dismisses upcoming European Parliament resolution on Georgia as worthless propaganda
Levan Makhashvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European integration committee, on Tuesday dismissed the upcoming European Parliament resolution on Georgia as worthless propaganda with no practical significance.
24 February 2026, 21:26
Politics
Georgian Parliament official: imposing sanctions on Russia means declaring economic war
Levan Makhashvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European integration committee, on Tuesday said that calls for Georgia to impose economic sanctions on Russia amount to urging the country to declare economic war on its powerful neighbour.
24 February 2026, 21:11
Politics
Georgian FM: UK sanctions on Georgian media continuation of unjust treatment of Georgia
Georgian foreign minister Maka Botchorishvili on Tuesday criticised the United Kingdom's sanctions on the Georgian television companies Imedi TV and POSTV, describing the move as another example of what she called unfair and groundless treatment toward Georgia in recent years.
24 February 2026, 17:11
Politics
Georgian Parliament majority leader slams UK sanctions on Imedi TV, POSTV, urges Britain to address its own problems
Irakli Kirtskhalia, the chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Tuesday issued a sharp response to the British government’s decision to impose sanctions on Georgian television channels Imedi and POSTV.
24 February 2026, 15:47
Politics
Georgian Parliament official slams UK sanctions on Georgian media, calls them blow to free expression
Levan Makhashvili, the chair of the Georgian Parliament’s European integration committee, on Tuesday reacted to the United Kingdom’s sanctions on the Georgian television channels Imedi and PostV, describing the move as an attempt to suppress free speech.
24 February 2026, 15:28
Politics
Georgia’s ruling party official: UK sanctions target TV channels for “telling the truth”
Levan Machavariani, the first deputy chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Tuesday responded to the United Kingdom’s decision to impose sanctions on Georgian television companies Imedi and PosTV, stating that the move represents an attempt to undermine free media.
24 February 2026, 14:48
Society
“British sanctions hold no value” - Imedi TV responds to sanctions imposed by United Kingdom
As it has become known, the UK government has decided to impose sanctions on the TV company Imedi.
24 February 2026, 13:45
Politics
Georgian Parliament Speaker rejects British Ambassador's call for Russian sanctions, warning of “escalation and war”
On the fourth anniversary of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili has publicly pushed back against calls from the British ambassador for Georgia to impose bilateral sanctions on Russia.
24 February 2026, 13:07
Politics
Georgian Parliament official claims double standards fuel Euroscepticism in Georgia
Davit Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and chair of the Georgian Parliament’s committee on procedural issues and rules, on Tuesday accused the European Union of applying double standards, stating that such actions are fueling growing Euroscepticism in Georgia.