Presidential Administration Confirms Spokesperson’s Dismissal

The Georgian Presidential Administration has confirmed media reports about dismissal of President’s Spokesperson, Khatia Moistsrapishvili for making personal statement publicly.

The Presidential Administration explained that Moistsrapishvili’s action “contradicts the professional duties and standards of a spokesperson.” “A spokesperson is strictly required that every statement made by him/her in the public space expresses the positions of the President and the Administration only. Accordingly, the President’s spokesperson is required to refrain from publicly expressing his/her personal sentiments.”

The Presidential Administration verbally warned Khatia Moistsrapishvili on September 4 about termination of her powers as the President’s Spokesperson, and informed her on termination of her contract on September 10.

According to the Presidential Administration, Moistsrapishvili was offered to continue her work at the President’s press office, but her response is unknown so far. Later, Moistsrapishvili wrote on her Facebook page that “professional experience and civil ethics” do not allow her to engage in public polemics with the directly elected President of Georgia and therefore, she refrains from making any comment.

According to media reports, Moistsrapishvili was dismissed after she expressed solidarity to her former colleague, ex-head of Rustavi 2 TV newsroom, Nodar Meladze through her own Facebook page [presently, the statement is not publicly available].

Upholding this version of dismissal, Nodar Meladze wrote on his Facebook page on September 7: “It is a shame to force the President’s Spokesperson to quit only because she dedicated a post to the head of the critical television’s newsroom, who simultaneously is her friend.”

Khatia Moistsrapishvili served as the President’s Spokesperson since December 31, 2018.  

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