French Ambassador denounces “violence in democracy” following assault on Georgian Parliament’s majority leader by opposition MP
Mdinaradze on Monday claimed the assault had been a “commissioned provocation”. Photo: Parliament of Georgia
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Sheraz Gasri, the French Ambassador to Georgia, on Tuesday said violence was “never a solution in a democracy”, in comments after a heated discussion on the controversial bill on the transparency of foreign influence in the Georgian Parliament's Committee on Legal Issues saw Aleko Elisashvili, the leader of the Citizens opposition party, physically assault Mamuka Mdinaradze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party in the legislative body.
Violence, whether physical or verbal, is never a solution in a democracy, where different opinions have to be freely expressed and any disagreements must be resolved peacefully, through truly inclusive dialogue”, Gasri said.
Mdinaradze on Monday claimed the assault had been a “commissioned provocation”.
The incident came on the backdrop of hearings on the bill that calls for registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad
The draft laws reintroduction by the ruling party after its retraction last year has been met with criticism by domestic opposition, civil sector and diplomatic representations in the country and public protest in Tbilisi and several other cities across Georgia.
Mamuka Mdinaradze, the head of the ruling Georgian Dream party in the Parliament, on Monday claimed the physical assault by Aleko Elisashvili, the leader of the Citizens opposition party, against him on Monday had been a “commissioned provocation”.
Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Monday expressed his “readiness to participate in public discussion” on the domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence, after the debate was offered by Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to ambassadors of the United States, European Union and EU member states.
Georgia cherishes and safeguards relations with partner countries. By taking into consideration the main priority of our foreign policy - EU integration - cooperation with high-ranking officials of the United States of America, European Union and EU Member States, including the ambassadors and exchange of ideas is a profound priority for us. We value every supportive step and statement of current ambassadors that are directed at solidifying the international positions of Georgia. Thus, every grounded advice and recommendation will further be accepted with special attention and care.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze on Friday said the controversial Georgian bill on transparency of foreign influence, resubmitted by the parliamentary majority last week, provided for only “minimum standard” of transparency.