Georgian top lawmaker accuses EU of "funding radicalism"

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has accused the European Union of supporting extremism and radicalism in Georgia by backing an upcoming concert by musician Kordz in Gori.

Papuashvili was referring to Kordz’s scheduled performance on September 26, which is being organized with the support of the EU and the Danish Cultural Institute.

“When authors of fascist slogans and chants are financed with European Union money, this means financing and encouraging extremism, radicalism and fascism in Georgia,” Papuashvili said.

Kordz is the author of the song “Ole-Ola,” which was played during opposition protests. Georgian authorities have alleged that the song is offensive to supporters of the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Papuashvili also said the concert is being organized by the same organization where a previous performance featured inscriptions describing 1.2 million voters of the ruling party as “slaves.”

By Vafa Guliyeva