Changes relating to to the introduction of criminal liability for desecration of religious buildings and religious objects are a classic example of political populism, which nobody really needs, Girchi deputy Iago Khvichia said.

Khvichia suspects that "yesterday's operation" was initiated and incited by the government.

"These changes are a classic example of political populism, which everyone understands that no one needs. In general, I have a suspicion that this whole operation yesterday: Stalin and Matrona, the myths about the conflict between dogs and humans, which we had been hearing for two days, were initiated and incited by the government from beginning to end, I think, in order to divert attention from important topics to such nonsense, which we have been listening for days," Khvichia said.

For information, activist Nata Peradze splashed paint onto the icon of Saint Matrona in the Holy Trinity Cathedral, on which Joseph Stalin is also depicted.

In addition, as it became known on January 10, at the initiative of the ruling team, it is planned to introduce criminal liability for insulting religious buildings and religious objects.