US plans to support Georgian opposition protests during elections: SVR
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According to the SVR, the US Department of State aims to provide the pro-Western Georgian opposition with a pretext to organize mass protests and attempt to seize power.
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Demonstrators with Georgian national and EU flags gather in front of police during an opposition protest against the foreign influence bill at the Parliamentary building in Tbilisi, Georgia, Tuesday, May 28, 2024 (AP)
The Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) on Wednesday said it had obtained evidence that the US Department of State was planning to assist the Georgian opposition in seizing power by providing a pretext for protests around the time of the October 26 legislative elections.
"Washington's plan is clear and no longer surprising — it is to give the pro-Western Georgian opposition a reason to stage mass protests to seize power in the country by force," the agency said in a statement.
The SVR said that the US had the support of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which is expected to release an interim report on Georgia's electoral process weeks before the election.
This report is predicted to accuse the Georgian Dream-led government of failing to ensure a free and fair election.
After the vote, ODIHR is expected to declare the election undemocratic.
Read more: US after power change in Georgia following last elections: Russian SVR
This comes against the backdrop of a tumultuous year in Georgian politics.
In May, the Georgian parliament passed a measure on foreign agents, which aims to limit the power of institutions, such as Western NGOs, receiving foreign funds.
The bill calls for compiling a list of people and organizations that receive funding from overseas, which sparked widespread protests and concerns among the opposition, who are concerned that it will allow the government to suppress the work of NGOs and activists in the country.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to protest the bill and gathered at Tbilisi's central Europe Square, chanting: "No to the Russian law!" and "No to the Russian dictatorship!". Georgian and EU flags were also waved during protests.
Consequently, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien said that under a planned foreign agents statute, the United States will be compelled to assess US aid to Georgia if Tbilisi considers Washington an "opponent".
Read more: Ukraine FM fires Kiev rep. in Georgia for buying home appliances
In late August, the SVR likewise said that the US is working to orchestrate a color revolution in Georgia ahead of the October elections.
On September 9, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced that the government aims to establish a fund to provide financial aid to NGOs registered as "agents of foreign influence."
