Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has warned of what he described as external interference in the affairs of the Georgian Orthodox Church, including in decisions to be made by the Holy Synod, and pledged that authorities will respond.
“It is of utmost importance that no one meddles in the decisions of the Church, including those yet to be adopted by the Holy Synod,” Papuashvili said, adding that there are already signs of such interference.
The Speaker claimed that certain media outlets and organizations allegedly funded from abroad are involved in attempts to influence Church-related processes.
“We will be vigilant in observing who attempts to interfere in Church matters. There are ongoing attempts at external meddling. We see foreign-funded propaganda groups, including Radio Liberty and Tabula, directly entangled in the activities of the Synod. They have launched campaigns targeting specific clergy members,” he stated.
Papuashvili further claimed that several media outlets, including Radio Liberty, Tabula, Publica, and Netgazeti, are conducting what he described as “direct election campaigns” in support of or against particular clergy figures.
He also drew parallels with previous developments, alleging that similar interference had taken place during Georgia’s 2024 elections, including by representatives of the European Union.
“Today, we see, with great probability, interference in the affairs of the Georgian Church by organizations funded with European money. We are closely monitoring this. Let it be known to everyone, including those foreign entities financing these actions, that all of this is being documented. We are monitoring every move, and we will respond to every incident,” Papuashvili said.
No immediate response from the organizations mentioned or international actors has been reported.
Header image: Imedinews
