WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 24, 2025) – The Georgian Dream (GD) regime in Tbilisi has expanded its anti-democratic campaign to include foreign diplomats in the country. Their latest target is Germany’s Ambassador Peter Fischer.
As GD continues its attacks against independent media, the opposition, civil society, and the nightly protestors, diplomats like Fischer have vocally stood up for Georgian democracy. He has shared his concerns about last year’s elections, criticized the regime’s violence against protestors, and attended the court cases of political prisoners, such as Mzia Amaglobeli, one of the McCain Institute’s highlighted freedom fighters.
This is not the first time the Georgian government has applied pressure to foreign diplomats and Western nations. Over the last couple years, Georgian leaders have launched a litany of insults towards the U.S., including our ambassadors, and Europe. Prime Minister Kobakhidze called the U.S. an enemy and liar, claiming it had attempted two “revolutions” in Georgia. Notably, this is the same message from the Kremlin, which has accused the West of igniting the protests in Tbilisi.
Today the Foreign Ministry summoned Ambassador Fischer, following weeks of government accusations against him. They have falsely accused him of meddling in Georgia’s internal affairs, violating the Vienna Convention, anti-European values, and pressuring the judiciary. This rhetoric has led to Fischer being verbally assaulted in public by GD supporters. Ambassador Fischer described the meeting as a “new low” in diplomatic relations and pushed back against the Georgian government’s accusations.
“Authoritarian regimes have thin skin,” said Laura Thornton, McCain Institute senior director for global democracy programs. “It’s not enough for Georgian Dream to rig elections, arrest its critics, and violently attack protestors. All criticism must be eliminated, and that means from foreigners as well.”
The European Union and diplomatic missions of almost all European countries have put out a statement condemning the Georgian government for its attacks on Fischer.
“It is disheartening that the U.S. did not join the diplomatic community in this show of support, especially when they experienced similar attacks,” said McCain Institute Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Farkas.