“Catastrophic”: Georgian Parliament Speaker condemns violence under EU flag

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday responded on social media to recently circulated video footage showing Zviad Ratiani - a Georgian poet - striking a police officer during an incident in Tbilisi.

In his remarks, Papuashvili reaffirmed a position he voiced just days earlier, warning that solidarity with violent actions could lead to further escalation.

His comment followed a public show of support by the EU Ambassador Paweł Herczyński to Mzia Amaghlobeli, who had previously assaulted a police officer.

“Solidarity with violence incites further violence, I said a few days ago when the EU Ambassador demonstratively expressed solidarity with an attack on a police officer. This warning came true in just two days. It is a catastrophe that hatred and violence are being sown under the EU flag today”, Papuashvili said.

A video showing Zviad Ratiyani striking a police officer began circulating in Georgian media and social networks. Shortly after, the Prosecutor’s Office officially charged Ratiani with assaulting a law enforcement officer.