Speaker: Yesterday's EP debates 'devoid of Europe '
Speaker: Yesterday's EP debates 'devoid of Europe '

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili echoed the MEPs’ recent remarks at the European Parliament, saying a group of politicians in the European Parliament have been trying to “punish” Bidzina Ivanishvili and return [jailed ex-president]Mikheil Saakashvili to power since 2012.

According to Papuashvili, “Georgian people are aware of this, which explains why there is no response to such claims.”

The Speaker believes yesterday’s debates in the European Parliament “was devoid of Europe as the tribune was used to spread disinformation.”

For the record, MEP Viola von Cramon-Taubadel, on Tuesday, said “Georgia is now a captured state. Democratic backsliding continues to accelerate, the justice system is ruled by clans, but prominent cases are politically motivated.”

MEP David McAllister also said that the political situation “hampers the country’s development.” In his remarks, he stressed that “political leaders in Georgia must stop aggressive verbal attacks against the members of the European Parliament and representatives of other partner countries.” McAllister called on the Georgian authorities to release Saakashvili and “allow him to undergo proper medical treatment.”