Ruling party Sec Gen accuses certain embassies of directly participating in efforts to fuel confrontation in country

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Thursday made strong allegations against certain diplomatic missions, accusing them of directly participating in efforts to fuel confrontation and support protest movements in the country.

Kaladze’s comment came in response to a journalist’s question regarding the lack of diplomatic reaction to a police officer being physically injured during demonstrations.

“These people are encouraging and supporting such actions. Some embassies - not all - are directly involved in fueling tensions in the country, supporting the continuation of protests, and facilitating revolutionary scenarios”, he noted.

The official questioned the sources of funding for non-governmental organisations and accused them of being instruments of unrest.

“Where is this money coming from? Who is funding these NGOs? Where are they getting such large sums? Ask these questions - everything becomes very simple”, Kaladze continued.

Kaladze further criticised the silence of diplomatic representatives and opposition leaders following acts of violence, recalling a previous incident involving MP Mamuka Mdinaradze.

“They tried to burn a police officer alive with a Molotov cocktail, and an entire campaign was launched to present the perpetrator as a hero. Later, that person was pardoned by [ex President] Salome Zourabichvili. Can you imagine what we’re dealing with?”, he added.

Kaladze concluded by thanking the Ministry of Internal Affairs and every employee of the ministry for maintaining order, law, and peace in the country.