Giorgi Gabunia (Georgian: გიორგი გაბუნია) is a name shared by two notable Georgian public figures: a journalist and television host, and a politician and lawyer.
1. Giorgi Gabunia (Journalist)
Born 28 July 1975 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, Soviet Union, Giorgi Gabunia is a Georgian journalist and television host. He is the son of Georgian actor and host Julieta Vashakmadze. He served as a News Host for the television channels Rustavi 2 and Mtavari Arkhi, and later as Director General of Mtavari Arkhi.
Career highlights:
- Host of the program "P.S." on Rustavi 2 (January 2017 – July 2019).
- Host of "Post Factum" on Mtavari Arkhi (September 2019 – May 2022).
Controversy (2019): On 7 July 2019, during the Gavrilov's Night protests in Tbilisi, Gabunia delivered a profanity-laced on-air address in Russian directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, instead of his standard Georgian-language introduction. The incident drew significant international attention.
Assassination attempt (2020): On 15 July 2020, the State Security Service of Georgia announced the arrest of a Russian citizen for an alleged assassination plot against Gabunia. Georgian media and Gabunia's employer suggested the plot was ordered by Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of the Chechen Republic. Kadyrov denied the allegations, stating that if he had sent someone to kill Gabunia, they would have succeeded. He called Gabunia his enemy and demanded he beg for forgiveness. Georgian authorities did not officially confirm or deny the allegations against Kadyrov.
2. Giorgi Gabunia (Politician)
Born 31 May 1986, Giorgi Gabunia is a Georgian politician and lawyer. He is a member of the ruling party Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia and has been a member of the Parliament of Georgia since November 2024. On 25 November 2024, he was appointed Chairman of the Culture Committee of the Parliament of Georgia.
Career highlights:
- 2006–present: Soloist of the ensemble "BASIANI".
- 2007–2013: Lawyer.
- 2018–2019: Executive Director of the State Academic Ensemble of Georgian Folk Songs and Dance of Rustavi.
- 2014–2024: Deputy Executive Director of the State Folklore Center named after A. Erkomaishvili.
- 2022–present: Member of the State Chamber Ensemble of Georgia.
- 2024–present: Founder of the society "Georgian".
