Georgian Parliament Vice Speaker says Ambassador Fischer’s criticism reflects Georgian people’s attitude toward him

Nino Tsilosani, the Vice Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, on Tuesday criticised Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, stating that negative reactions to his actions reflected the attitude of the Georgian people rather than personal or political hostility from officials.

In her interview with Imedi TV, Tsilosani commented on a recent video address by Fischer, in which he criticised the Georgian authorities and accused the ruling Georgian Dream party of unfair treatment.

In her remarks, Tsilosani noted that the Ambassador had rarely expressed support for Georgia, while repeatedly appearing at politically sensitive trials and engaging with radical activists.

“Peter Fischer represents an important country, and from the very beginning we welcomed him with great respect. However, he himself decided to squander that respect and cast a shadow over it through his own political positioning. You will hardly recall Fischer making any statements in support of Georgia, but you can easily remember how he attended the trials of Mzia Amaghlobeli or others, standing over a judge without an interpreter, apparently to intimidate them - at least, he did not understand what the proceedings were about”, she said.

The Vice Speaker argued that such behaviour was perceived as pressure on the judiciary and interference in internal affairs.

“Fischer will certainly be remembered by the Georgian people for exerting pressure on the judiciary. We will remember how he dictated whether four years or two years were enough punishment for this or that crime. He encouraged the most radical activists, and we have said this many times in a very constructive and friendly manner”, she noted.

Tsilosani emphasised that an Ambassador who aligned himself with aggressive activists and openly criticised state institutions could not be regarded as a friend of Georgia.

“When you invite or visit aggressive activists who are directed against the state and state officials, pose against a slave poster, such a person cannot be perceived as a friend of Georgia. When you subordinate the important function you came here to perform to political activity, you should not expect anything better. If he dislikes anything we say, he should know that it reflects the attitude of the Georgian people toward him”, Tsilosani concluded.