Georgian Parliament Speaker claims groups being trained according to “intelligence service manuals” to destabilize country

Georgian Parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Saturday raised serious concerns regarding foreign interference, claiming that opposition groups are being trained according to “intelligence service manuals” to destabilize the country.

Papuashvili’s remarks came after Imedi TV on Thursday reported that the Georgian opposition is following a revolutionary scenario authored by Igor Blaževič, a prominent leader of the Prague Civil Society Centre.

In his remarks, the speaker noted a perceived shift in how these activities are being funded, claiming that practices previously associated with the former US administration have now transitioned to European institutions.

“It is a fact that we are dealing with the preparation of groups according to the manuals of special services in order to stir up the country, and this requires an appropriate response”, he said.

“What was previously carried out with funding from the former US administration, including in Georgia with the participation of instructors like Ackerman and others, has been completely halted for some time by the new US administration. This harmful practice has now shifted to the European Union. It is clear that we are dealing with the preparation of groups according to intelligence service manuals in order to create unrest in the country, and this requires an appropriate response. I am confident that, as in other cases, the State Security Service will thoroughly examine and determine what we are dealing with”, Papuashvili noted.

He further added that individuals holding Georgian citizenship were involved in these processes and stressed the importance of determining the full scope and nature of the alleged activities through official investigation.

“It is evident that individuals holding Georgian passports - Georgians by name and surname - are participating in processes carried out according to intelligence service scenarios. From what I have seen, the organisation represented by this individual [Blažević] is funded by European foundations. According to open sources, it distributes millions in funding and is specifically focused on the Caucasus region and Eastern Europe”, he said.

“There are clear signs of harmful intentions. The direct involvement of intelligence services in attempts to destabilise another country is apparent. It is truly shameful how far anti-democratic tendencies in the funding of European foundations have gone”, Papuashvili concluded.