Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday addressed the recent attempt on US presidential candidate Donald Trump’s life, where a teenager was involved as the assailant and claimed that such incidents underscored growing concerns about radicalization among young people influenced by external forces.
“It is no coincidence that the shooter at Trump was also a teenager. They try to use young people for radical actions,” said Papuashvili, addressing the attack during a campaign event in Pennsylvania. The incident resulted in the death of one participant and serious injuries to two others before US Secret Service officers neutralized the attacker, identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Papuashvili expressed concern over alleged manipulation of youth for violent purposes, pointing to alleged similar trends within Georgian society where “external-funded groups incite violence and undermine democratic values”.
“The attack on Trump highlights a disturbing trend where young individuals are manipulated into carrying out extreme acts,” Papuashvili continued. “This reflects broader challenges we face in combating radical influences, both domestically and internationally.”
The Speaker called for heightened international cooperation to address radicalization and urged Western politicians, donors, and diplomats to dissociate themselves from organizations that promote violence and extremism.
“As we witness these troubling developments, it is imperative that we take decisive action to safeguard our societies against such destructive influences,” Papuashvili concluded.
