**Former German Ambassador’s Role in 2019 Protest Dispersal Questioned**
In a recent session of Georgia’s Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission, the chairperson, Tea Tsulukiani, raised questions about the involvement of former German Ambassador Hubert Knirsch in the dispersal of a protest rally on June 20, 2019. The commission is investigating the events surrounding that night.
**Giorgi Choladze Testifies**
The guest speaker at the session was Giorgi Choladze, a former Head of Administration for then Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze. He stated that Knirsch was present in the Parliament building alongside then Minister of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia on the night of June 20. According to Choladze, Knirsch should not have been there, and he expressed his concerns about the ambassador’s presence.
**Tsulukiani Asks Questions**
Chairperson Tsulukiani asked Choladze if Knirsch had the right to be in the Parliament building at that time. Choladze replied that it was “absolutely basic” for a foreign ambassador not to be present when a protest turns aggressive and non-peaceful, and the Minister of Internal Affairs is dispersing it.
**Choladze Describes Knirsch’s Behavior**
Tsulukiani also asked Choladze about his experiences with Knirsch. According to Choladze, he had witnessed conversations where Knirsch spoke directly and rudely to high-ranking officials, saying “You must do this now.” Tsulukiani pressed Choladze for details, asking him if Knirsch’s behavior could have provoked Gakharia or others outside.
**Choladze Recalls the Night**
Choladze recalled that Knirsch was observing the situation on June 20. He did not remember any specific questions from the ambassador and stated that there was no special approach to communicating with him, as he did not understand Georgian.
**Questions Raised**
The testimonies raise questions about Knirsch’s involvement in the events of June 20, 2019. The commission’s investigation aims to determine whether the former German ambassador’s presence in the Parliament building on that night had any impact on the dispersal of the protest rally.
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