Georgia summons Iranian Ambassador over Queen Ketevan remarks

The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Iranian Ambassador Seyed Ali Moujani following controversial social media remarks regarding the historical memory of Queen Ketevan. The ambassador, a historian by profession, posted an image of the Georgian queen-regent projected onto the facade of the Iranian embassy, suggesting that her history is surrounded by “numerous conflicting accounts” and promising to publish his own research on the matter.

Queen Ketevan is a canonized martyr of the Georgian Orthodox Church who was tortured to death in Shiraz in 1624 under the orders of Shah Abbas I. The ambassador’s comments have drawn sharp criticism from Georgian historians, lawmakers from the ruling Georgian Dream party, and religious representatives, who view the remarks as an interference in domestic affairs and a challenge to established historical facts.

Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandre Khvtisiashvili informed the ambassador that his statements “went beyond the bounds of diplomatic activity” and could negatively affect public attitudes. The Ministry emphasized that diplomatic representatives must observe established norms and refrain from interpreting the history and domestic affairs of the host country.