Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen: EU countries now facing same protests, violence they encouraged in Georgia

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party on Wednesday accused EU countries of financing extremist organizations and encouraging violent protests in Georgia, saying that some of the same developments are now unfolding within their own borders.

Kaladze made the remarks in response to a journalist’s question about international media reports alleging that the European Commission and George Soros had financed protests in Europe.

“I don’t know who financed what, but one thing is clear: very serious developments are taking place in many EU countries. Our society is watching what is happening - violent demonstrations and clashes. Violence is categorically unacceptable”, Kaladze said.

He recalled what he described as the activities of extremist organizations in Georgia, alleging that they had been funded by various EU countries and American organizations with the aim of triggering a revolution, staging a coup and deepening political polarization.

“It is very serious. As a result, we had to take a number of steps and amend legislation to stop all of this”, he noted.

Kaladze argued that European countries were now experiencing developments similar to those that, in his view, had been encouraged in Georgia.

“What they were organizing and doing here, what they were supporting and encouraging - violent organizations and violent groups - is now happening in their own countries”, he said.

He also criticized what he described as a lack of condemnation from European representatives when violent groups were active in Georgia.

Kaladze questioned whether EU officials were applying the same standards to protests and police responses in their own countries.

“I don’t recall anyone coming forward to condemn the developments in Georgia or the actions of the violent groups. Likewise, today I don’t see anyone from EU countries speaking out to condemn even the dispersal of protests by police. This is a clear double standard. People see it and draw their own conclusions. It is not hidden”, Kaladze concluded.