Prepared by Messenger Staff
Robin Wagener Visits Georgia, Urges for Sanctions Against Individuals Responsible for Escalation
Robin Wagener, the Federal Government Coordinator for Inter-Societal Cooperation with the Countries of the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Republic of Moldova, issued a statement following his visit to Georgia.
The statement indicates that the German government will reconsider its cooperation with Georgia and emphasizes the need for targeted sanctions against individuals "responsible for this escalation."
Wagener stated that "Georgian Dream must respect the will of the majority of the population and return to the European path outlined by Georgia's constitution."
"The desire for liberal democracy among Georgian citizens has violently clashed with the increasingly autocratic repression of the ruling party Georgian Dream. We stand with those Georgians who aspire to see their future within the European Union. During this visit, I intend to make this position clear.
The Georgian people were promised a European future. Shortly after this promise, Georgian Dream ultimately turned its back on democratic values and Europe. The use of force against peaceful protesters and the arrests of opposition members and journalists are categorically unacceptable and strongly condemned. For instance, I was informed about how masked individuals beat a journalist while he was covering a demonstration live.
For this reason, the German government will reconsider its cooperation with Georgia and has already canceled the first aid projects. Targeted sanctions are necessary against those responsible for this escalation. In this situation, decisive measures are essential.
I was deeply moved by accounts of how people from various generations took to the streets even in small settlements because they perceive a concrete threat to their future. Georgian Dream must respect the will of the majority of the population and return to the European path outlined by Georgia's constitution," stated Wagener.
Coalition for Change Warns Against Georgian Dream's Propaganda Amid Council of Europe's Visit to Georgia
The Coalition for Change has accused Georgian Dream of using the visit of Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset for "propaganda and disinformation", falsely suggesting European recognition of its legitimacy.
The statement claims Bidzina Ivanishvili's regime spreads false narratives against international partners and Georgia's President Salome Zurabishvili, aiming to maintain its image domestically. The coalition warns that such visits, without a clear message on new elections or Georgia's political crisis, risk enabling the regime's propaganda.
They express hope that Berset's visit will help improve Georgia's human rights situation, particularly by securing the release of political prisoners.
Berset has met with Georgian Dream's Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, oligarch Ivanishvili, and Georgian Dream's Speaker Shalva Papuashvili. He also plans to meet with the opposition and civil society representatives.
