Russia threatens new sanctions on Georgia after TV host insults Vladimir Putin with obscene tirade about leader’s dead parents
- TV host unleashes expletive-laden tirade, provoking a rebuke from the Kremlin and condemnation within Georgia
- On-air rant came after violent anti-Russian protests in the Georgian capital, culminating in a Russian ban on direct flights between the two countries
Russian politicians have called for new sanctions against Georgia after a Georgian journalist insulted Russian President Vladimir Putin on TV, as the already strained relationship between the countries continues to sour.
A ban on the export of wine and the renowned mineral water Borjomi were among sanctions called for by Russian members of parliament after prominent journalist Giorgi Gabunia, speaking on Georgian broadcaster Rustavi 2, insulted Putin and his family in the strongest language.
Gabunia called Putin a “filthy invader” and insulted the Russian president’s mother using coarse language, before adding “Oh, your mother’s dead … Let her burn in hell with you and your father”.
Another mooted sanction was that the sizeable Georgian minority in Russia be banned from transferring money to family in Georgia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov called Gabunia's comments a “great disgrace for the Georgian people”.
The comments were condemned even by some opponents of Putin in Georgia. There were protests against Gabunia and the TV show that carried his comments has been suspended.