DISINFO: EU ambassador to Tbilisi is complicit in violence during popular protests
SUMMARY
EU ambassador to Tbilisi Paweł Herczyński is an accomplice to violence in popular protests and demonstrations near the Georgian parliament. Herczyński openly campaigned in favour of the opposition and against the ruling Georgian Dream party ahead of parliamentary elections and he has never condemned violent protests in Georgia. He continues to encourage violence, though his attempts have been unsuccessful.
RESPONSE
Recurring pro-Kremlin disinformation narrative claiming that popular protests in Georgia were a Western-led attempt at a ‘colour revolution’ or a coup d'état.
There is no evidence that Ambassador Herczyński encouraged or participated in any form of violence in Georgia. His statements repeatedly emphasised the importance of democratic values, human rights, and the peaceful resolution of political disputes. Herczyński’s concerns about violence in protests are consistent with the EU’s commitment to human rights and rule of law. The EU has frequently condemned violence in protests worldwide, regardless of the political context.
This kind of rhetoric aims to fuel anti-Western sentiment in Georgia, portraying the EU as an adversary rather than a partner. Such narratives are commonly used in Kremlin-backed disinformation campaigns to undermine Georgia’s European aspirations and paint Western institutions as meddling forces. By distorting the EU’s stance, these accusations attempt to erode public trust in European integration and democratic reforms.
Georgia was shaken by violent protests and a police crackdown in October 2024 after the opposition alleged election fraud by the ruling Georgian Dream party.
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