“In light of the German Ambassador’s recent statement, I feel compelled to remind the public that several months ago, Zurab Adeishvili visited Germany, where, as a representative of the Ukrainian government, he participated in official meetings and was even seen in the Bundestag visitors’ gallery,” writes Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on social media.

Papuashvili’s comments come in response to a statement by Germany’s Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, who asserted, “We do not want human rights violators to come to our country.”

“For those who may be unaware, let me outline the human rights violations attributable to Zurab Adeishvili, which have already resulted in final convictions: kidnapping and mutilation of Koba Davitashvili – 6 years; prison torture case – 4 years and 6 months; illegal seizure of the wine company Akura – 1 year and 6 months; seizure of TV Iberia – 1 year and 6 months; and the attempted bankruptcy of Cartu Bank – 5 years and 3 months. (Ironically, Giorgi Isakadze, founder of the media outlet in which the Ambassador made his statement, has admitted his own involvement in this last human rights violation.)

If the German government was genuinely committed to opposing human rights violators, it would either refuse to host him officially or, if this hosting was an oversight, at least ban entry for one of the key architects of a proven torture and racketeering system. That has not happened. Such instances demonstrate that sanctions or visa restrictions have been weaponized for political vendettas and the dishonest acquisition of influence, undermining fundamental legal principles—this is fundamentally un-European,” Papuashvili concludes.