Kakha Kaladze Calls for Transparency in Funding Sources for Youth Groups Engaged in Activism
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Kakha Kaladze, the Mayor of Tbilisi, stated that funding organizations, originating from what is considered Georgia's friendly countries, actively "recruit" and "train" young individuals in opposing the police and initiating revolutions. He expressed his concern about the negative consequences of promoting polarization and emphasized the detrimental effects it has on society.
Kakha Kaladze expressed concern about the support given to individuals involved in violent acts by opposition representatives. He criticized the portrayal of those who throw Molotov cocktails as heroes and emphasized the need for society to unite against such behavior. Kaladze called for transparency regarding the sources of funding and organizations involved in recruiting young people for activities like revolution and confrontation.
"A person who throws a 'Molotov cocktail' at a police officer intends to burn the officer alive. It is concerning that individuals like Japaridze, who engage in such actions, receive support from representatives of the opposition. This attempt to portray someone who throws a 'Molotov cocktail' as a hero is highly detrimental and encourages evil. Society must come together to prevent such occurrences. Moreover, it is disheartening and harmful when financial incentives are involved in such acts. The public deserves to know the sources of these funds, the organizations providing financing, and the entities involved in recruiting young people for activities related to revolution, confrontation, and bloodshed. Transparency is essential, and the public should be aware of the specific countries and organizations funding these youth groups.
In our 12-point plan, the first point emphasizes depolarization and reducing political confrontation in the country. However, instead of everyone working towards reducing polarization and taking steps towards depolarization, the opposite is being promoted. It is alleged that our friends are directly funding organizations that recruit young people and train them in combating the police, organizing revolutions, coups, and similar activities. We need to know where these funds come from and who they are financing. On one hand, we are encouraged to reduce polarization, while on the other hand, actions that encourage and promote polarization are taking place, which is deeply regrettable," stated Kaladze.
