Government’s responsibility in US abandoning Lugar Lab, opposition MP

Levan Bezhashvili, an MP from the United National Movement parliamentary faction, on Friday criticized the Georgian government for the cessation of US funding for the Lugar Laboratory, resulting in the facility being “completely abandoned”.

Bezhashvili highlighted that Russia had long been the primary adversary of the Lugar Laboratory, spreading numerous manipulative rumors about its operations.

“The Lugar Laboratory was a crucial institution, especially remembered for its significant role in healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Bezhashvili said.

“The decision by Georgian Dream to halt funding reflects Russian influence, as everyone recalls that Russia was the main opponent of the Lugar Laboratory, disseminating countless falsehoods about it. Consequently, the government is responsible for this institution’s abandonment. However, on October 26, everything will change, and Georgia will resume its development path,” he added.

The US halted the portion of its funding to Georgia after the adoption of the controversial Foreign Influence Transparency Law in May.