Video Manipulation of Salome Zourabichvili’s Speech from the October 28 Protest Rally

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On October 29, several Facebook accounts (1;2;3;4;5;6) shared an 11-second video of Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili speaking at a protest rally, claiming that she addressed the crowd on Rustaveli Avenue saying, “Today, I think, I gave to six presidents, including presidents of European countries.” [“Giving” in Georgian can also be understood as having sex]

28 oqtombris aqtsiidan salome zurabishvilis videophabrikatsia vrtseldeba Video Manipulation of Salome Zourabichvili’s Speech from the October 28 Protest Rally

The video of Salome Zourabichvili’s address is altered. In reality, the president addressed the protest participants, mentioning that she had given interviews to 17 European media outlets and spoken with six presidents and foreign ministers.

On October 28, a protest was held on Rustaveli Avenue, where participants voiced objections to the results of the October 26 parliamentary elections. President Zourabichvili addressed the citizens, and at the end of the protest, the opposition called for a re-election.

During her speech, Salome Zourabichvili told those gathered on Rustaveli that she did not recognize the results of the parliamentary elections and stated that the people’s votes were stolen. The president explained that neither Europe nor the US would recognize the existing results and demanded an investigation into the irregularities. Zourabichvili emphasized that a complete picture should be formed with the participation of local and international observer missions, as well as citizens, to reveal the scheme of systematic and massive vote-stealing. Finally, she urged the protesters not to fall into despair and assured them that “the reported results will not be the final results.”

In her speech, Zourabichvili informed the crowd that she was actively in contact with international partners in the days following the election, attempting to explain what had transpired on October 26. However, the president did not say that she had “given six presidents” anything. In this specific part of her speech, Zourabichvili said: (2:05)

“Now I want to tell you what I am doing in this period. Today, I think I gave 17 interviews to foreign media to explain what happened here. I spoke to six presidents, including presidents of European countries. I also spoke with foreign ministers. You have probably read all the assessments and messages of support coming from various European countries.”

Beyond this excerpt, Zourabichvili did not mention European state presidents. Likely, her voice was spliced, and the altered audio was overlaid on her footage.

On October 26, parliamentary elections were held in Georgia. According to the official data from the Central Election Commission, five parties crossed the 5% threshold and secured seats in the 11th convocation of Parliament. The party with the largest share, 53.9%, was Georgian Dream. Four opposition parties that entered Parliament, along with the president of Georgia, question the election’s credibility and assert that it does not reflect the will of the people.

Following the October 26 election and in the subsequent days, numerous altered or manipulated videos have been disseminated on social media, primarily targeting opposition politicians. However, Myth Detector has also verified manipulative content, including a video alleging that Bidzina Ivanishvili flew to Moscow.

About the Sources:

Facebook user Хунда Дзе is a supporter of the “Alt-Info/Conservative Movement.” On social media, they regularly share news from the Alt Info TV station via multiple accounts (1, 2, 3, 4) and frequently spread anti-Western posts (1, 2).

Khatia Janashia is also a supporter of “Alt-Info.” She frequently shares anti-Western posts, as well as disinformation and manipulative information on social media. Myth Detector has previously debunked posts shared by Janashia.

Fake Facebook account Daat Tsabadze has been active on social media since 2019 and was involved in a campaign to discredit anti-occupation protests. Myth Detector has debunked false information spread by Daat Tsabadze multiple times in the past.

Facebook user Nino Kvaratskhelia currently shares posts and information supporting Georgian Dream. According to Myth Detector’s study, she was an activist for the pro-Kremlin Alliance of Patriots party in 2020. Kvaratskhelia is known for spreading anti-opposition fake news


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Topic: Politics
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