Georgian Parliament official criticises “double standards” in Western perception of police action

David Matikashvili, an MP from the ruling Georgian Dream party and Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Committee on Procedural Issues and Rules, on Monday voiced strong criticism against what he perceives as a “double standard” in how some Western entities view police actions in Georgia versus their own countries.

In his interview with Imedi TV, Matikashvili Matikashvili argued that such differing interpretations were fueling Euroscepticism in Georgia.

“Violence is violence everywhere. A Molotov cocktail burns and kills people in the same way in Tbilisi, Berlin, and Los Angeles. In Paris, we remember that 10 people died at the Yellow Vests rally after police action, and in Germany, we also remember the violent dispersal of the protest rally. Let’s talk about Tbilisi - when a mass of people who initiate violence directly try to burn, kill, and destroy, and adequate police action is taken against them, this is a violent act by the police, this is a violation of the law by the police”, Matikashvili said.

“This is how Eurobureaucrats see it, this is how the Biden administration saw it, and when a similar story happens in their own homeland and the police are adequate towards it, this is an ordinary police action. Because what is permissible for Jupiter is not permissible for a cow - this is not possible in Georgia. So, this double standard is exactly what causes Euroscepticism and which is deepening in Georgia based on the percentage calculated by the Eurobarometer”, he continued.

He highlighted that it was necessary that all this be transformed into an equal and partnership relationship, otherwise, scepticism toward Eurobeureacrats would only deepen.