Georgian MP denounces French Ambassador's remarks as “undiplomatic, destructive”

Irakli Kirtskhalia, the Deputy Chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party faction in the legislative body, on Friday denounced recent remarks made by Sheraz Gasri, the French Ambassador to the country, labelling them as direct interference in the country’s internal affairs and a display of double standards.

Kirtskhalia’s remarks came in response to a statement by the French Ambassador to Georgia, Sheraz Gasri, who referred to individuals accused of attacking police officers as “unjustly detained prisoners” and claimed that Georgia was in a “crisis”.

The ruling party official responded by denouncing the statement as politically motivated and inappropriate for a diplomatic representative.

“Such a political statement and, once again, an open, brazen, and clear interference in the country’s internal affairs - on a matter that directly reveals the double standards and unjust approach Georgia has become accustomed to, especially since 2022 - is, to say the least, undiplomatic and destructive”, Kirtskhalia said.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Friday expressed concerns over foreign diplomatic missions interfering in domestic affairs.

Papuashvili urged diplomatic representatives to adhere to the Vienna Convention and refrain from interfering in Georgia’s internal affairs.