Irakli Zarkua, an MP from Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party, on Thursday called on ambassadors from EU member states to condemn alleged acts of violence against GD lawmakers and officials who support the controversial foreign influence bill. This appeal follows the Georgian parliament’s recent decision to override the presidential veto on the legislation.
Zarkua highlighted incidents of graffiti near the residences of ruling party MPs, labeling them and other bill supporters as “Russian slaves.”
The adoption of the bill has sparked mass protests and widespread international criticism.
“I appeal to the ambassadors: come out and condemn [these actions], or we will assume that you are encouraging these approaches,” Zarkua said. “Is it acceptable and normal for ambassadors when representatives of non-governmental organizations and their hired groups, marginal people, are bullying others simply because they hold different positions?”
Addressing the EU ambassadors directly, Zarkua continued, “Do you notice Bolshevik or fascist approaches here? Representatives of non-governmental organizations and their hired groups, marginal people, are bullying individuals with differing opinions. Is this acceptable and normal for you? These groups are financed by USAID, the Democratic Development Fund, and similar entities. If we don’t get a response, we will assume that the European and American funds supporting these organizations and media are indeed used for the purpose”.
The Georgian Parliament has passed the law, which mandates that non-governmental and media organizations receiving more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad be classified as serving the interests of a foreign power. The bill is now set to be signed by the chairman of the Parliament of Georgia.
