How Georgian Dream attacks Germany

A targeted political campaign is currently underway in Georgia against Germany and, in particular, its ambassador, Peter Fischer. Officially, the issue concerns tax issues surrounding rent payments for a house Fischer rented from the family of opposition politician Mamuka Khazaradze. However, a closer analysis reveals that this tax issue is merely a pretext – the real intention of the campaign is to discredit Germany and its critical stance toward the increasingly authoritarian course of the Georgian government.

Ambassador Fischer in the crosshairs of Georgian propaganda

The affair began with accusations by Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili, who publicly claimed that Mamuka Khazaradze had evaded tax obligations and now wanted to shift the blame onto Ambassador Fischer. Papuashvili described Khazaradze as an "internationally recognized fraudster" and indirectly suggested that Fischer was involved in this alleged fraud.

In fact, however, this is a deliberate attempt to damage Fischer's diplomatic reputation. The reason for this is Fischer's consistently critical stance toward the repressive developments under Bidzina Ivanishvili's government. Papuashvili even went so far as to publicly label Fischer a "director of political intimidation" after he, along with other diplomats and an Austrian MEP, observed trials against government critics – a common diplomatic practice that is apparently perceived as threatening in Georgia.

Propaganda instead of facts: The reality behind the allegations

While state media, especially the pro-government broadcaster TV Imedi, have been spreading the alleged tax irregularities with great intensity, a look at the facts reveals a different picture. According to the Khazaradze family's lawyers, there is a fully legally sound, notarized lease agreement between Khazaradze and the German embassy. State propaganda deliberately ignores this fact in order to publicly attack and internationally discredit Germany.

DAAD funds representatives of Ivanishvili's judicial system

Parallel to this anti-Germany campaign, the decision of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) to award Goga Kikilashvili a scholarship raises serious questions. Kikilashvili is a member of the High Council of the Judiciary, a key institution in Georgia widely criticized for political influence and manipulation of the judiciary. Piquantly, Kikilashvili deliberately omitted this key aspect in his DAAD application.

The DAAD's reaction to the revelations remains surprisingly passive: President Joybrato Mukherjee cites "neutrality" and refused to revoke the scholarship. This stance effectively means that German taxpayer money is supporting the pillars of an authoritarian system in Georgia, while at the same time representatives of that same system are carrying out targeted attacks on Germany and its ambassador.

Germany's clear commitment to democracy as the true cause

The reason why Georgian Dream is specifically attacking Germany is obvious: Germany, and Ambassador Fischer in particular, stand for democratic values and openly criticize developments in Georgia. For example, Fischer supported publicly persecuted journalists like Mzia Amaghlobeli, whose trials are internationally viewed as politically motivated, through his attendance at court hearings.

Amaghlobeli's trial illustrates the abuse of the Georgian justice system particularly clearly: Despite a lack of objective evidence, she faces a prison sentence of several years. Fischer's presence and attention apparently disrupt the government's narrative, which is why Papuashvili and other government officials are trying to discredit him and, by extension, Germany itself.

Time for Germany to clearly position itself

The controversy surrounding alleged tax issues is merely a diversionary tactic. Georgian Dream's real strategy is to discredit and silence international criticism. At the same time, paradoxically, the Georgian regime receives support from German taxpayers via the DAAD.

Germany now faces a crucial question: Either it ends this double standard, takes a clear stand against anti-democratic practices, and stops indirect financing of these structures, or it risks permanently damaging its credibility and international authority.

The reality behind this campaign clearly shows: It is not the tax issue that is the real scandal, but rather Georgian Dream's political instrumentalization of it – and Germany's lack of a decisive response to it.