Georgian Parliament official: foreign ambassadors failing their role, opposition ‘no longer exists’

Archil Gorduladze, the Chair of the Georgian Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, on Wednesday lamented that foreign ambassadors in the country were no longer acting as ambassadors, adding that “in our country, the opposition simply no longer exists”.

In his interview with Imed TV, Gorduladze noted that instead of a genuine opposition, there were “radical forces and individuals who stand out with fascist rhetoric”.

He referred in particular to opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria’s recent declaration that she would refuse to pay bail following her detention for damaging the campaign banners of Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze ahead of the upcoming local elections.

Gorduladze claimed that her refusal was “a way to avoid carrying out her assigned tasks” and to justify herself to her supporters abroad.

“She will tell her patrons: I tried everything, but I was detained and could not fully participate in revolutionary activities”, he argued.

Gorduladze also linked the actions of other opposition figures such as Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia to what he described as deliberate provocations.

Furthermore, he criticized the Dutch Ambassador, saying it was impossible for him not to know that Khoshtaria had damaged campaign property belonging to the ruling Georgian Dream party.

“After committing this crime, she meets with her secretly. What is this, if not approval and encouragement of an offence?” Gorduladze said.

“Sadly, we see that ambassadors no longer act as ambassadors, and in Georgia, there is no opposition. There are radical groups, individuals distinguished by fascist statements, and some are so blinded that they cannot distinguish white from black - and they even believe Elene Khoshtaria is someone fighting against Russia”, he concluded.