In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, a public altercation between members of Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, and a vocal critic escalated into a physical confrontation, catching international attention. The incident unfolded in the Radisson Blu hotel’s dining area, where MPs Irakli Zarkua, Viktor Sanikidze, and Gela Samkharauli engaged with Lasha Gabitashvili, a politically active Georgian citizen.
Gabitashvili, who has no formal political role but has been active in advocacy, previously challenged the Georgian Dream politicians on their policies during a tense exchange the day prior at the same location. His involvement in politics is partly personal, driven by a tragedy in June 2015 when his brother died in a flood in Tbilisi—a disaster that claimed over 20 lives and led his family to sue multiple government agencies for negligence.
The conflict caught on video began when Zarkua allegedly approached Gabitashvili as he was breakfasting, threw food at him, and initiated a physical confrontation. The situation quickly escalated as Sanikidze joined in, with video footage capturing the MPs and Gabitashvili exchanging blows. Additional footage showed a continued exchange of insults and another round of physical conflict involving MP Samkharauli.
Following the altercation, Gabitashvili shared a video online detailing his account of the incident, emphasizing that the confrontation stemmed from a previous verbal dispute over Georgian politics, including police actions against protesters in Georgia. He pointed out visible bruises on his face and expressed frustration over the ruling party’s response to political dissent.
The initial verbal altercation had been sparked by Gabitashvili approaching the MPs while recording, questioning them about recent arrests of protesters in the Georgian city of Batumi and allegations of police brutality in Tbilisi. His confrontational remarks included labeling the politicians as betraying the Georgian people, a sentiment echoed in widespread anti-government protests across Georgia.
These protests have criticized the adoption of Russian-style legislation and perceived shifts away from the European Union by the Georgian government. The backlash against Georgian Dream officials has been growing, with confrontations occurring not just domestically but also internationally, as diaspora and traveling Georgians voice their discontent.
The reaction to the viral videos of the fight has been mixed, with some criticizing the actions of the Georgian lawmakers as unbecoming of their positions, while others view the confrontation as a staged provocation. With no official response from the Abu Dhabi police or the hotel by the time of reporting, the full repercussions of this incident remain unclear.
This altercation highlights the intense political divisions within Georgia and the broader Georgian community abroad. It underscores the challenges facing Georgian society, where political confrontations can overshadow dialogue and where the line between personal grievance and political activism often blurs. As Georgia continues to grapple with internal and external pressures on its political landscape, incidents like these resonate far beyond their immediate context, hinting at deeper undercurrents of dissatisfaction and unrest within the nation.