‘You could be the next Fico,’ Georgian PM claims he was told
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The Georgian prime minister has revealed that a top European Union official warned him he could be assassinated if he passes a Russia-inspired “foreign agents” law.
Irakli Kobakhidze said that he was warned to be “very careful” by an unnamed European commissioner, who referenced the recent assassination attempt on Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister.
“Look what happened to Fico and you should be very careful,” said Mr Kobakhidze, recalling the alleged threat.
The Georgian’s statement said the EU commissioner had listed a series of punitive measures that could be introduced by Western leaders if the controversial law was given passage.
Olivér Várhelyi, the Hungarian commissioner responsible for EU enlargement, revealed on Thursday night that the warning came from him.
“With reference to the statement made by the Prime Minister of Georgia on 23 May 2024, hereby I would like to express my very sincere regret that a certain part of my phone conversation was taken out of context,” Mr Várhelyi said.
He said he had intended to urge the prime minister “not to enflame further the already fragile situation” by adopting the foreign agents law, “which could lead to further polarisation and to possible uncontrolled situations on the streets of Tbilisi”.
He continued: “In this regard, the latest tragic event in Slovakia was made as an example and as a reference to where such high level of polarisation can lead in a society even in Europe.”
An unnamed EU official responding to the Georgian prime minister’s remarks said: “It’s very unfortunate from the Georgians. I’m not sure why he [Mr Kobakhidze] did this, it’s a new low.”
Georgia, an EU candidate country, has been rocked by months-long protests while its government moved ahead with the legislation, which forces media and rights groups to disclose any foreign funding.
The law is similar to one in Russia that the Kremlin uses to crack down on free speech.
Several EU countries are urging Brussels to introduce sanctions against Georgia, including the withdrawal of the country’s visa-free travel regime to the bloc.
Estonia, Sweden, the Netherlands and Czech Republic are said to be pushing the hardest for the punitive measures ahead of a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers next week.
EU officials have warned the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has vowed to pass the law in the coming weeks, risks endangering its bid to join the bloc if the “foreign agents” bill is finally passed.
On Thursday, Russia accused the US of attempting to blackmail Georgia over the bill.
Washington has threatened to cut aid to Tbilisi and impose sanctions on officials over the legislation.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, on Wednesday said the law was “right out of Moscow’s playbook”.
