German Ambassador condemns violence in Tbilisi rally crackdown

German Ambassador to Georgia Peter Fischer on Wednesday condemned the violence following the crackdown on the rally in Tbilisi against the foreign transparency bill. 

In a statement posted on his social media account, he emphasized that resorting to violence was never a solution. Fischer reiterated Germany and the European Union’s commitment to closely monitoring and assessing the situation. “We stand as partners and friends of Georgia, advocating for peace, freedom, and development,” he affirmed.

The unrest stemmed from protests against the so-called “Agents’ Law,” a draft legislation on foreign influence transparency, which the majority of Georgia’s Parliament passed in the first reading on April 17. Despite widespread protests urging the withdrawal of the draft law, Parliament proceeded with its consideration in the second reading during the plenary session on April 30.

During the night of April 30, law enforcement utilized various tactics, including pepper spray, tear gas, and water cannon, to disperse the rally participants gathered outside the Parliament building. Additionally, physical force was reportedly employed against several demonstrators, including opposition MPs Levan Khabeishvili and Aleksandre Elisashvili.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs justified the intervention, stating that it was initiated after the protest escalated beyond the boundaries of lawful expression and peaceful assembly, with participants “engaging in verbal and physical altercations” with law enforcement officers.