Tbilisi Mayor Calls Protest Against Russian Cruise Ship Anti-State

The Secretary General of Georgia's ruling "Georgian Dream" party and Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, believes that the protest organized by opposition representatives in Batumi against the arrival of the Russian cruise ship Astoria Grande was actually aimed at undermining the peaceful development of the republic.

"Georgia's doors are open to tourists. They can be Russians, Europeans, or Americans. I see no problem in that. Let them come and spend money. After all, that money goes into Georgia's economy. This protest is directed against Georgia," stated Kaladze.

Opposition parties and representatives of civil society assert that there are individuals aboard the ship who support military actions in Ukraine, as well as those who are in favor of Abkhazia's separation from Georgia.