Xenophobic messages mainly involved anti-migrant sentiments targeting Arabs, Iranians and Turks. On the one hand, pro-Kremlin actors highlighted the process of migration and purchase of lands by representatives of specific countries in the context of a demographic threat. On the other, they labelled the criticism voiced by the opposition and media regarding the entry of Russian citizens to Georgia as groundless.

Shalva Natelashvili, Labor Party: “Now, beginning with Bazaleti, Iranian and Arab villages are being built everywhere. And nobody is interested in it. So, demographic expansion is underway from all directions – the North, the South, and the East.” 

Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, Host at Sezoni TV: “Very soon, Georgia will no longer belong to Georgians. Several Azerbaijanis were resettled to Kakheti to herd cattle… the village of Kabali, which is now the largest Azerbaijani-populated village, and the fate of elections in Kakheti is largely determined due to active efforts of the Kabali population … A person who is of Indian descent has become the British Prime Minister… and very soon, an Arab will become Georgian Prime Minister. If an Arabic village is created in Tabakhmela, Bazaleti, Kakheti, Shida Kartli and each person has 10 and 20 wives… Georgians are running away and these people are arriving; so, the demographic situation will change and they will make up the majority… I respect all nations, but do you know what? The lands must not be sold.”

One part of Turkophobic statements sought to amplify the narrative that Russia’s defeat in the war against Ukraine and weakening of its positions in the region poses a threat due to Turkey’s expansionist policy and Muslim environment. The other part highlighted Turkey’s expansionist goals and, in that context, focused on the factor of common religion with Russia.

Vazha Otarashvili, the Alliance of Patriots of Georgia: “What territorial claims does Turkey have to Russia? Those territories are Crimea and Georgia – Adjara, Guria and Samtskhe-Javakheti. The closest and strategically most convenient for them is Adjara. Turkey has, in fact, occupied Adjara – economic expansion is conspicuous. Just take a walk in the streets of Batumi, and you will see it yourself; but instead, we are concerned about Russian tourists while Turkey has actually taken over Batumi. The fall of Russia will embolden historical enemies of Georgia – Iran and Turkey.” 

Spiridon Tskipurishvili, Cleric: “If Turkey sees the decline of Russian influences in Georgia, it will occupy Batumi with its troops within a day, not only with Turkish population but with the army - the Turkish army, much like it did in 1921. Turkey was defeated in the First World War and nevertheless, seeing Russia already disintegrated, deployed its troops in Batumi.”

Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, Host at Sezoni TV: “When talks began that if Russia were to restore our territorial integrity, we would allow their [military] bases… I wish there were [military bases] in Adjara now to stop Turkish Islamization.”

Ilia Chachibaia, Host at Obieqtivi TV: “There are a number of establishments in Batumi, where nobody speaks in Georgian, including casinos, no Georgian dishes are made, but they have Turkish dishes and even the menus are in Turkish… The majority of casinos, 99% have only Turkish dishes, only Turkish language is used and they are mainly designed for the Turks… What is most important, I was informed from Batumi that concerts are held in these casinos, where no Georgian songs are performed, only Turkish and Arabic songs, and I do not like that either.”

Soso Shatberashvili, Leftist Alliance: “Those who claim that Turkey is our strategic partner would better clarify what Turkey’s strategic partnership with Georgia means… Turkey still keeps its eye on Adjara and not only; it also keeps its eye on Akhaltsikhe and Guria… Turkey’s top officials have said it inadvertently on multiple occasions… Turks have never done us any good. Although we did not feel good under Russian bayonets, but we have one very strong factor – it is our common church.”

The monitoring has revealed several cases of appearance-related rebukes against Elene Khoshtaria, the leader of Droa party, which has been long promoted by various actors in the context of mixing gender roles. Ana Abashidze, candidate for the new Public Defender, was rebuked on the ground of gender stereotypes that was linked to the process of considering her candidacy in the Parliament. At the same time, the latter was portrayed as the enemy of the people and everything national.

Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, host: “One of the most notable haters of Georgians, zonder-feminist, liberal Ana Abashidze appeared before the Parliament today… This Georgian-hater woman appeared before the Parliament with her brilliance and spoke about something that assured us that not only she cannot become the Public Defender, but she cannot even be shown on TV.”

Anti-western messages revolved around the issue of identity and promoted the idea that the West, including the United States, fights against Orthodoxy and imposes homosexuality upon Georgia, whereas propaganda of depravity is banned in Russia by law. In addition, another opinion was promoted according to which the loss of territories by Georgia, Armenia and Ukraine was the result of attempts to pursue Western foreign policy and to improve LGBT rights.

Vazha Otarashvili, Alliance of Patriots: “Let me clarify – the American people is one thing and the U.S. Administration, especially the Biden Administration, who is a direct enemy of Georgian nation and Georgian state, is another thing; the enemy of Orthodoxy. It fights against Orthodoxy, because their slogan is, the slogan of these globalists is ‘No to religion, no to homeland, no to sex and so on.”

Irakli Martinenko, Conservative Movement: “Ukraine is a very good example of why the West pays so much for disrupting national identity… no war could have happened if Ukraine had maintained any form of identity. The same attempts are underway in Georgia to hold gay prides and adopt the laws, which are against the family and identity… actually, Christian part has saved Georgia from the war.” 

Nikoloz Mzhavanadze, Host: “In this region, Turkey is a traditional country, where LGBT propaganda failed to gain foothold. Azerbaijan, which is a traditional country and it is clear that the two are Muslim countries and not Christian, but this Sodomy failed to penetrate into these countries and due to this, those nations are committed to their religion and are far away from this depravity and Sodomy. At the same time, they have not started flirting with the West. Our country and Armenia were punished because Sodomy entered here and simultaneously [Armenian PM Nikol] Pashinyan started flirting there. Saakashvili wore us out by repeating NATO and NATO. That is why we lost the territories in this region, Azerbaijan regained its territory, Turkey strengthened its positions and only we suffered a loss.”