TBILISI. March 27 (Interfax) - The decision of a Norwegian human rights organization to give former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili an award for contribution to promoting human rights and democratic development is an insult to the Georgian people, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili said.
"When a certain Norwegian organization awards the criminal Saakashvili regime for the development of democracy and the protection of human rights, it's an insult and a mockery of the Georgian people," Garibashvili told reporters on Monday.
He compared Saakashvili's actions with those of Norwegian terrorist Anders Breivik.
"An award for promoting human rights bestowed on Saakashvili is on par with some country presenting a similar award to Breivik," Garibashvili said.
Hundreds of young people were killed and 300,000 people were imprisoned and prosecuted on criminal counts during Saakashvili's presidency, he said.
Saakashvili said on social media last week he had received an award from "Norway, known for its high standards in the protection of human rights and democracy." He did not name the Norwegian organization that awarded him as a human rights activist and democrat.