The German Ambassador to Georgia, Peter Fischer, is once again facing attacks from Georgian government officials, this time centered around allegations of a corruption scandal. The German Foreign Office has refuted the claims.
Reports in Georgian media aligned with the government allege that Ambassador Fischer rented a high-value property belonging to the family of opposition leader Mamuka Khazaradze without a formal lease agreement. Khazaradze has been in detention for weeks after refusing to appear before a parliamentary committee and tax authorities are now accusing his wife of tax evasion, including in relation to the alleged rental to the German Ambassador.
The German Embassy in Georgia declined to comment when approached for information. The Khazaradze family vehemently denies the allegations, stating through their legal counsel that a notarized rental agreement exists, fully compliant with all legal requirements. They assert that any undocumented collaboration with the German diplomatic representation is impossible.
Despite the family’s denial, representatives of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party have continued their criticism. Archil Gorduladze, Chairman of the Legal Issues Committee in Parliament, questioned how a diplomat could rent property from someone involved in politics while claiming impartiality. Gia Volski, a Member of Parliament and First Vice-Speaker, directly accused the German Ambassador of “political corruption.
A spokesperson for the German Foreign Office firmly dismissed the corruption accusations on Friday. Simultaneously, the spokesperson expressed “great concern” regarding recent developments in Georgia concerning the rule of law and human rights.
Ambassador Fischer, who assumed his post in 2022, has frequently been the target of harsh reactions from local authorities due to his outspoken criticism of the ruling “Georgian Dream” party’s policies. Members of the pro-Russian governing party have previously discussed his potential expulsion.
Since November 2024, Georgian citizens have been protesting the perceived shift away from a European path by the “Georgian Dream” government – despite attempts at intimidation, violence against protestors, the detention of prominent opposition figures and restrictions on freedom of assembly and media. A spokesperson for the German Foreign Office stated on Friday that, “It is up to those responsible to do everything possible to end the deep political crisis and restore confidence in Georgia”.