The head of Georgia’s Interior Ministry, Vakhtang Gomelauri, advised the pro-Western opposition to leave the Georgian parliament alone and not dream of a coup, he told reporters on May 9.
Georgian media have published audio recordings of conversations between opponents who are dissatisfied with the development of events in protests against the adoption of a law on foreign agents in Georgia.
“Don’t even dream… Conversations, revolutions… You can turn around and turn around in your own offices if you want. And let them leave parliament and government buildings alone.”Gomelauri said.
According to him, the department has already started an investigation and verification of the authenticity of the audio recordings.
He commented on the release of footage at Georgia’s Interior Ministry briefing on May 8 showing police dispersing protests in foreign countries. In this context, talking about excessive use of force by the police at protests in Georgia is ridiculous, he added.
“That night, when the young people attacked the doors of parliament, they burned, broke cameras, lit fires, etc. Not a single police officer came out so that there would be no confrontations, so that these children would not get hurt. We have taken this into account where possible. The next morning we saw statements from ambassadors and representatives of other countries that the police had used disproportionate force. Very funny!” – concluded the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.
Also read: The State Department explained why Georgia is prohibited from adopting a foreign agent law
Recall that on May 8, the State Security Service of Georgia announced that the organizers of actions against the adoption of the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence” were preparing provocations to intensify violence and create victims.
On May 1, the Georgian parliament adopted in second reading the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence”, which provides for the annual submission of financial statements for non-governmental organizations and media funded by more than 20% from abroad, and does not imply prohibitions or sanctions. Plans to pass this bill sparked harsh criticism from the West and days of protests by pro-Western opposition and NGOs, which turned into riots.
On May 2, US Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan reported that members of the Georgian government declined a visit to Washington at the invitation of the US side to discuss strategic partnership and financial assistance.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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