MP Slams Stockholm Amid Moscow Mechanism, Claims ‘Rise in Crime,’ ‘Economic Stagnation’ in Sweden

2026-02-04 - 09:57

Irakli Kirtskhalia, Georgian Dream’s parliamentary majority leader, lashed out at Sweden while denouncing the recent invocation of the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism on Georgia, claiming, among other issues, a “rise in crime rates” and “economic stagnation” in the Scandinavian nation, which he said should “not spend time worrying about problems that do not exist in Georgia” and instead focus on its own “serious and objectively concerning challenges.” Sweden was among the 24 OSCE member states that invoked the Moscow Mechanism on Georgia on January 29, allowing the establishment of an independent expert mission to investigate serious human rights concerns in the country, with a particular focus on developments since the spring of 2024. Speaking during a parliamentary plenary session on February 3, Kirtskhalia described the move as “yet another clear example of a foreign country’s interference in Georgia’s internal affairs.” Kirtskhalia argued that “specific institutions and organizations” intended to promote cooperation have instead been used in recent years “to punish undesirable political opponents.” He also claimed that human rights in Georgia are today “better protected” than in most of the countries that invoked the Moscow Mechanism, saying, “let OSCE representatives come and investigate whatever they wish and for as long as they wish.” The reason the MP singled out Sweden was reports that Sweden’s Moderate Youth Party had awarded the Freedom Prize to Georgian demonstrators. “The fact that the prize was given to all demonstrators, including violent radicals, is evidence of your bias in favor of those engaging in violence and, most importantly, constitutes yet another gross and unfriendly act of interference in Georgian politics,” he said, pushing back at Sweden, which he claimed is facing rising crime rates and economic stagnation. “We are concerned that in recent times discriminatory and hate-motivated crimes increased sharply in Sweden,” he said, expressing further worries about what he described as the rising risk of “organized crime,” “the overall rise in crime rates”, and the “steady increase” of gang shootings and explosions in the country. “We are also concerned about economic stagnation in your country and the fact that Sweden’s economy is facing difficulties due to high inflation, weak domestic demand, and rising household debt,” he went on to claim. “Another worrying issue is that, regrettably, your citizens have to endure long waiting times to receive medical treatment.” He said that the concerns he listed are based on “facts, statistics, and objective realities,” urging Sweden “not to spend time worrying about problems that do not exist in Georgia,” and instead to focus on addressing its own “serious and objectively concerning challenges.” Sweden, which has historically been one of Georgia’s key international partners, has suspended direct cooperation with Georgian state authorities following Georgia’s disputed 2024 parliamentary election, stating that cooperation would resume once Georgia returns to its EU integration path. In July 2025, the Georgian chargé d’affaires was summoned to the Swedish Foreign Ministry, “where a senior official expressed serious concern regarding the human rights situation in Georgia.” Also Read: 12/02/2025 – Sweden Condemns GD Government’s Actions, Broaches Sanctions, Affirms Democratic Support