Georgian President visits wounded special squad soldier in hospital

On Thursday President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili visited special squad soldier Zurab Zurabishvili, who was wounded during clashes in the Lobota Gorge.

Saakashvili told reporters that the soldier struck a mine and a special operation was conducted to save him.

He said the special squad soldier was wounded at 01:30, after which there it took a lot of effort and time to save him.

"During this difficult rescue operation a doctor of the special forces was killed, but it was possible to save Zurab's life, and this is an achievement of many people, including the doctors of the hospital," Saakashvili said, noting that Zurabishvili was a participant in the Georgian-Russian war in 2008 and has awards.

The president noted that he personally followed the rescue operation.

Saakashvili criticized some of the opposition, which "is unprincipled and without honor."

"They do not believe that there are people who are willing to defend their country and give their life, because they have no honor, inventing some versions and innuendo to discredit our heroes. I assure everyone that there are many people in Georgia who are ready to defend their country," the president said.