Lithuania’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed claims in the Georgian media that the UK is allegedly training Georgian activists in Lithuania ahead of the country’s local elections on October 4 as “a coordinated information attack”.
The online outlet Prime Time, described by Georgia’s opposition as pro-government, first published the claims on August 18 – less than two months before the partially boycotted municipal vote. It alleged that two NGOs were recruiting opposition-leaning citizens for training abroad, which it portrayed as preparation for possible protest scenarios at home.
“In Lithuania, Georgian activists are taught protest rally tactics, provocations, and documenting the ‘unparalleled toughness’ of law enforcement officers; self-defense in case of detention, and popularizing information campaigns, with an emphasis on creating so-called viral content and targeted materials spread through Telegram,” Prime Time reported.
The outlet also claimed that recruitment was being carried out by the British-Georgian Society and the International Institute of Strategic Research, both based in London.
The outlet did not cite any specific sources for this information.
Responding to the report, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said the adoption of the controversial ‘foreign agents’ law had reduced “polarisation, but non-governmental organisations are finding other ways”.
“You can see they have come up with alternative forms [of interference], taking radical activists to Lithuania to deepen polarisation and giving them training. This is extremely worrying. It is a great shame when certain European forces are associated with attempts to stir up hatred in Georgia,” JAMnews quoted him as saying.
Նյութերը գեներացվում են տարբեր կայքերից արհեստական բանականության միջոցով