German Foreign Ministry rejects Speaker Papuashvili’s allegations, urges Georgian authorities to stop spreading false narratives

Germany’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday strongly rejected and condemned what it described as “baseless accusations” made by Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili.

“We deeply regret that by spreading disinformation and harmful narratives, Papuashvili is damaging Germany–Georgia relations. We categorically reject the aggressive rhetoric directed at the German Ambassador by representatives of the ruling party. The Ambassador in Tbilisi represents the official position of the Federal Government,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Berlin also called on the Georgian authorities “to stop disseminating false narratives about the positions and policies of the EU and the German Government, and to change their current political course.”

Papuashvili’s remarks came in response to a post on social media by German Ambassador Peter Fischer, who stated: “The German Government expresses full support for me as Ambassador. Of course, Germany rejects political violence. I have said this publicly in Georgia as well. Claims to the contrary are wrong and do not reflect the truth.”

In his statement, Papuashvili alleged that while Ambassador Fischer was posting his remarks, “the very people he had met with and expressed support for just days earlier were attacking the ruling Georgian Dream’s election headquarters in Tbilisi with fascist chants.” He accused the Ambassador of failing to condemn what he described as politically motivated violence and claimed Fischer’s actions violated Article 41 of the Vienna Convention.