Ruling party Sec Gen alleges foreign funds used to fuel division in Georgia

Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, on Friday made strong accusations regarding foreign funding in Georgia, claiming that money sent from abroad under the guise of supporting charitable projects was in fact used to fund hate campaigns and deepen political polarisation.

Kaladze responded to comments by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, who recently called on the British Embassy to disclose who it had funded during the election period and in what amounts.

“These funds, funneled through the so-called non-governmental organisations, were mainly used to incite revolution in Georgia, despite being presented as contributions to benevolent projects”, the ruling party official said.

“In reality, 90 percent of this money went toward hate campaigns and efforts to divide society and escalate polarisation. We’re speaking based on facts - this is not an invention. We’ve seen several such attempts before”, Kaladze continued.

He further criticised statements made by foreign officials regarding Georgia, describing them as unacceptable.

“It’s completely unacceptable for us to hear such statements. What have the Georgian people done to deserve this kind of attitude? We’re defending our country, we’re not attacking anyone-we’re in a defensive posture”, the official noted.

“These comments suggest that it’s somehow criminal for a country to protect its own interests, to refuse to open a second front, or to stay out of sanctions”, he added.

Kaladze further highlighted that some foreign diplomats’, including ambassadors’ interference in Georgia’s internal political affairs as unacceptable.

“We even witnessed foreign ministers from certain countries join protest rallies in Tbilisi and deliver political messages. Friendship and partnership must be mutual. Therefore, I call on everyone to respect our country’s sovereignty”, he concluded.