It is remarkable that recently the German Ambassador has been employing symbolic gestures to communicate specific messages, using carefully curated backgrounds during his public appearances, writes the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament on his Facebook page.

“A few days ago, he was interviewed with a poster reading “Freedom for Mzia” visible behind him. This was a clear message directed at the judge overseeing the proceedings, one that, according to his own words, he was observing.

Furthermore, he was seated next to his Estonian colleague, whose government recently barred this very judge from entering Estonia for making decisions unfavourable to Estonian interests. This kind of “surveillance’ at the trial, coupled with the Ambassador’s use of a provocative slogan as a backdrop, constitutes undue pressure on the justice system, a clear violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

What’s more, this behaviour surpasses even previous instances where the German Ambassador appeared behind a banner bearing the slogan of radical groups - Mona [Slave].

This radical message is not a mere accident or careless remark. Its purpose is to undermine moral boundaries and justify attacks on opponents. If a government official and their supporters are branded as “slaves”, they are dehumanized - seen as rightless, nameless objects rather than individuals deserving dignity.

Declaring others as slaves, denying them rights, and branding them as undignified directly contradicts the core values and the spirit of the German Constitution.

While the Ambassador’s actions are directed at the government and people of the host country, they raise serious questions for Georgian society as well. When the Foreign Ministry of Germany defends such conduct, it is vital to ask: Is considering another person a slave a denial of their human dignity? Is it acceptable to promote a narrative that normalises hate speech and the violation of human dignity?

P.S. To clarify, this is not “badmouthing” or an “attack”, but a “legitimate critique” that demands a response”, - writes Shalva Papuashvili.