Papuashvili Says Criticism of Georgian Figures Is Part of 'Anti-Georgian Campaign'
By Messenger Staff
Monday, July 27, 2026
Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said criticism of prominent Georgian cultural figures is part of a coordinated campaign to undermine the country's identity, commenting on the assault of comedian Onise Okriashvili.
Papuashvili claimed outside actors were trying to divide Georgian society through "hatred, hate speech, confrontation and slander" and by targeting respected public figures.
"They are attacking our exemplary people, who are particularly important for the unity of our nation, for defining identity and forming values," he said.
He also accused critics of attempting to replace Georgian role models with foreign figures, specifically mentioning Lithuanian MEP Rasa Jukneviciene.
"The goal is for Jukneviciene to be an authority, for her words to be convincing, for her values to be the values of the Georgian people, and not those of Nodar Dumbadze, other classics or a proud ancestor. This is a deliberate anti-Georgian campaign," Papuashvili said.
His comments came days after stand-up comedian Onise Okriashvili was assaulted by three men near his home in Tbilisi. Video of the attack showed one of the assailants shouting, "How can you speak about Nodar Dumbadze like that?" The incident followed days of pro-government media coverage criticizing a joke Okriashvili made during a July 12 performance. Okriashvili denied insulting the late writer and said the coverage had encouraged people to act against him.
The Interior Ministry opened an investigation into the assault, arrested one suspect, and a court later released the accused on GEL 5,000 bail.
