German Ambassador rejects “violence as solution” following protest against transparency bill in Tbilisi

In his remarks over the rally, which saw 63 protesters detained and six police officers injured, Fischer noted violence was “never a solution”. Photo: German Embassy 

Agenda.ge, 01 May 2024 - 12:39, Tbilisi,Georgia

Peter Fischer, the German Ambassador to Georgia, on Wednesday said “violence should stop” following protests in the capital city of Tbilisi against the controversial domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence.

In his remarks over the rally, which saw 63 protesters detained and six police officers injured, Fischer noted violence was “never a solution”.

“Germany and the European Union are following and evaluating these events closely. We are partners and friends of Georgia for peace, freedom and development”, the Ambassador said.

Aleksandre Darakhvelidze, the Deputy Interior Minister of Georgia, on Wednesday said law enforcement officers had detained 63 protesters for “petty hooliganism and disobedience of legal requests of police” at the rally on Rustaveli Avenue.

The protests are held against 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.