Georgian Parliament Speaker: Brussels’ silence on presidential palace attack equals support for violence

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday criticised the European Union for failing to condemn the violent storming of the presidential palace on October 4, accusing Brussels of implicitly supporting violence through its silence.

In a social media post, Papuashvili expressed outrage over the European Union’s lack of response to the violent attack on the presidential palace three weeks prior.

“For three weeks, Brussels has not condemned the violent storming of the presidential palace. Failing to condemn violence is supporting violence. Shameful”, Papuashvili said.

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday said that EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, had yet to condemn the violent storming of the presidential palace, including by individuals funded by the European Union.

On October 4, large-scale protests in Tbilisi escalated into a dramatic confrontation, as a group of radical demonstrators tried to storm the presidential palace. The unrest occurred on the same day Georgia held municipal elections.

Authorities detained at least five opposition figures, including Paata Burchuladze. They are now facing charges of plotting to overthrow the government - a potential offense that could carry lengthy prison sentences.

Government officials described the events as a failed coup attempt orchestrated with foreign backing. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze called the protests “an attempted overthrow of the constitutional order”.