Georgian Parliament Speaker condemns “NGO fascism” after attack on Imedi TV crew

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday condemned an attack on a Imedi TV news crew at the airport, labeling it “externally funded fascism” cultivated within the domestic NGO sector.

In his remarks, Papuashvili alleged that the language of hatred was being encouraged from abroad, a claim he said was substantiated by the actions of radical groups and their activists.

“What we saw in Slovakia against Fico, what we saw in the United States against Trump during the election campaign, it's the same handwriting and it's managed by the same group. The same instruments of hatred, disgust, fascism, terror, which they want to establish”, the Parliament Speaker said.

He further drew parallels to the period before 2012, when the United National Movement was in power, accusing them of using terror against Georgian society with a “green light” from external forces.

He claimed that the same group of politicians and individuals with the same mentality were now in the opposition, attempting to attack society with the same terror, again with external support.

The Speaker also criticised European Parliament rapporteur Rasa Juknevičienė for her perceived bias and selective silence during the UNM’s time in power.

“Let me remind you - just a few days ago, Ms. Rasa Juknevičienė, who was somehow appointed by the European Parliament as rapporteur on Georgia, was a key supporter of Mikheil Saakashvili. From 2008 to 2012, she was a member of the Lithuanian government, serving as Minister of Defence, while Mr. Kubilius was Prime Minister. Did you ever hear Lithuania speak up about torture in Georgian prisons or business racketeering dur”, he continued.

Papuashvili argued that today's international defenders of Saakashvili were doing so not just out of loyalty but to cover their own past complicity.