Fireworks target Georgian Parliament, Speaker urges Embassy condemnation

The Georgian Parliament building was once again targeted with fireworks in an attack that took place yesterday during a protest rally. The Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili called on foreign embassies to condemn the assault, emphasising that the incident occurred during a protest organised by NGOs funded by these diplomatic missions.

In a social media message, Papuashvili criticised the NGO Human Rights House, accusing it of assisting protest participants in evading legal fines for acts of violence and disobedience against the police.

He also highlighted that two days prior, ambassadors from the Czech Republic, Germany, and Norway, as well as representatives from the British and Dutch embassies, had visited and expressed solidarity with the NGO.

Papuashvili stated that according to the Prosecutor's Office investigation, the NGO in question has been helping those involved in violent acts at the Parliament evade legal penalties, which he argues provides a “carte blanche” and encouragement for further violence.

“Yesterday, the Parliament building of Georgia was once again targeted with fireworks. I expect these embassies to condemn the attack on the Parliament building, especially since this attack took place at a rally organised by NGOs funded by them”, the Speaker concluded.