Georgian Parliament Speaker: EU must stop downplaying threat of domestic terrorism and funding propaganda of violence

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday accused the EU Embassy in Georgia after reports emerged that it had sent a letter to Zviad Tsetskhladze, a convicted individual involved in the violent protests, labelling it part of a deliberate propaganda effort to justify terrorism and normalise violence.

In a social media message, Papuashvili criticised domestic European-funded media for portraying the individual as a “prisoner of conscience” and urged Brussels to halt funding such narratives.

“One would say it’s a disaster when the media funded by European funds refers to a terrorist as a prisoner of conscience. However, when the EU Embassy itself corresponds with the same terrorist, you realise this is not an isolated misstep but a deliberately orchestrated propaganda line aimed at justifying terrorism and normalising violence”, he said.

Additionally, the Speaker referenced a recent European Parliament award to the head of a “pro-terrorist media outlet”, underscoring what he witnessed as a value erosion in EU institutions.

“It’s a separate matter that, just two days ago, the European Parliament awarded a prize to the head of this propaganda media that supports terrorists, further highlighting the value crisis in Brussels”, he noted.

Papuashvili demanded that Brussels cease minimising the risks of internal terrorism and stop financing propaganda that promotes violence.

“Brussels must stop downplaying the threat of domestic terrorism and funding the propaganda of violence”, Papuashvili concluded.