Opposition trying to add to “political hysteria” by demands on investigation commision on Shovi landslide – Papuashvili

The domestic opposition is trying to add to political hysteria by demands for the creation of the Parliamentary investigation commission on Shovi landslide, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said on Thursday, in response to opposition’s questions whether the disaster killing 21 could be prevented or victims avoided. 

 

In his press comments Papuashvili claimed opposition lawmakers could use other levers rather than the commission – sending questions to related bodies or summoning officials to the legislative body – to receive answers on the questions if “such left”. 

 

“I think that politicians should take this issue more seriously and responsibly and not use such a disaster, a tragedy, for their political goals and interests”, Papuashvili said. 

 

The official also accused Mtis Ambebi – a critical domestic media offering in-depth analyses of issues related to the country’s mountainous regions funded by foreign donors – and a Green Alternative NGO for spreading “ fake  information” over the latest disaster. 

 

He stressed spreading disinformation should be punishable in the country, but added such bills would be labeled as a “Russian law” as it happened in the case of the foreign transparency bill earlier this year, which proposed registration of  domestic organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad as foreign agents. 

 

The ruling party had to reject the bill due to mass protests in Tbilisi and a severe backlash from the international community. 

 

The opposition lawmakers said they have various questions about the Government’s work to prevent or manage disasters, as well as to its response to the disaster last Thursday, with more than 10 individuals still missing.