Georgian MPs scuffle over air links with Russia

Georgian MPs from the opposition Strategy Aghmashenebeli party, Georgy Vashadze, and the People's Power group, Irakli (Dachi) Beraia, staged a scuffle on May 19 at a plenary session.

Live footage of the scuffle was broadcast by the Georgian TV channel TV Pirveli.

Georgian Interior Minister Vakhtang Gomelauri was holding a hearing in parliament. Vashadze asked to speak. During his speech, he criticized the authorities for resuming direct flights with Russia and accused them of being friends with the Russian authorities. This aroused indignation of the majority.

After his speech, Vashadze returned to his seat, where he got into a verbal tussle with Beraia, who stood up and attacked the opposition member. Parliamentary bailiffs separated the MPs. The situation was settled. The MPs continued to discuss the activity of the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.