Georgian Embassy in UAE denies information about arrest of Georgian Dream members
The Georgian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates does not confirm the arrest of Georgian Dream MPs Irakli Zarkua and Viktor Sanikidze in Abu Dhabi. The day before, the opposition TV channel Mtavari reported that they were sent to prison pending a court hearing.
 
“This is not true. We can only say that law enforcement officers are investigating the incident, and, naturally, [people involved in the incident are involved,” the embassy reported.
 
On January 13, in one of the hotels in Abu Dhabi, MPs from the ruling Georgian party Zarkua and Sanikidze attacked opposition-minded citizen Lasha Gabitashvili during breakfast, throwing plates of food at him. The latter himself distributed a video of the fight on social networks. He also admitted that the day before the incident he had cursed Georgian Dream MP Irakli Zarkua, calling him a traitor to the Motherland.
 
It is known that law enforcement agencies have banned Zarkua and Sanikidze from leaving the UAE until the end of the investigation.
 
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters on Wednesday that he personally maintains communication with his colleagues, assuring that "everything will be fine."
 
Formula TV channel also reported earlier that due to the fight in Abu Dhabi, Kobakhidze's official visit to the Emirates was cancelled at the initiative of the host country. Georgia has not confirmed this information.
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