Russian media: UK plans to boost funding for Georgian NGOs to 'radicalize' opposition

Russian media outlets have reported, citing the press center of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), that the United Kingdom plans to significantly increase funding for Georgian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to radicalize their anti-government activities.

According to these reports, the British aim to push what they describe as “subversive creativity-charged” organizations to consolidate with opposition parties. London reportedly believes this effort will “shake up” Georgia’s systemic political opposition and give it a “second wind” to mobilize for a new phase of struggle to oust the ruling Georgian Dream party from power.

The SVR claims that the UK has identified around one hundred youth and student organizations, feminist movements, and LGBT community structures in Georgia for these “subversive operations.”

“The information received by the Foreign Intelligence Service suggests that the West is irritated by Georgia’s desire to rid itself of the guardianship imposed by liberal-globalist forces, whose values are foreign to the Georgian people,” the SVR statement reads. “The West is especially irritated that Tbilisi, once seen during Mikheil Saakashvili’s era as a ‘locomotive of democratization’ in the South Caucasus, is now increasingly shifting towards what they call the ‘path of authoritarianism’ by prioritizing national interests.”

The Georgian government’s criticism of the UK intensified after London imposed financial and visa sanctions on senior Georgian Dream officials.