Parliament Speaker Papuashvili: Until ALDE distances itself from Lelo, its statements must be treated as protecting terrorism

“The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) has so far failed to distance itself from its member party, Lelo, over its decision to maintain political ties and cooperation with an individual convicted of terrorism,” Speaker of the Georgian Parliament Shalva Papuashvili wrote today.

According to Papuashvili, by failing to act, ALDE has effectively declared itself a sponsor and harbourer of terrorism, a reality from which the European pan-political bloc cannot escape.

“To this day, ALDE has not distanced itself from the decision of its member, the Lelo party, to maintain party links and ongoing collaboration with a terrorist. In doing so, ALDE has proclaimed itself an enabler and protector of terrorism, and it can no longer run from this fact.

Until ALDE formally cuts ties with Lelo, the ally of a terrorist, any declaration issued by the ALDE leadership regarding Georgia must be viewed strictly as a statement originating from an organisation harbouring terrorists,” Papuashvili posted.

Papuashvili’s statement followed a formal declaration released by the ALDE Party, which stated: “ALDE strongly condemns the proposed ban and calls for the case to be withdrawn. It also urges the EU to impose tougher, targeted sanctions on those responsible for the crackdown against the opposition.”