Kaladze: EU countries funded extremist groups in Georgia and are now getting the same at home

“EU countries funded extremist organisations and encouraged violent protests in Georgia, and today they are facing the same situation in their own countries,” said Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze.

The mayor responded to questions about international media reports claiming the European Commission and George Soros funded the current European protests.

“I don’t know who funded what, but one thing is clear: very difficult processes are underway in many EU countries. Our public is watching what is happening: violent protests and clashes. Violence in general is categorically unacceptable. It is regrettable that here, in our own country, we saw extremist organisations funded by various EU countries and American organisations, set up to stage a revolution and a coup in the country and to deepen polarisation. That is very serious.

So we had to take a whole series of steps and change the legislation to stop all this. Today we are seeing the same thing in Europe. What they organised and did here, facilitating and encouraging violent organisations and violent groups, they are now getting in their own countries. I don’t remember anyone coming out and condemning what was happening in Georgia, or the way those violent groups operated. And today I don’t see anyone from EU countries coming out and condemning even the police dispersing protests. It’s the usual double standard. People can see it and judge it; it isn’t hidden,” Kaladze said.