The Georgian prime minister has claimed a top European Union official warned him he could be assassinated if he passes a Russia-inspired “foreign agents” law.
Irakli Kobakhidze said that he was warned to be “very careful” by an unnamed European commissioner, who referenced the recent assassination attempt on Robert Fico, the Slovakian prime minister.
“Look what happened to Fico and you should be very careful,” said Mr Kobakhidze, recalling the alleged threat.
The Georgian’s statement said the anonymous EU commissioner had listed a series of punitive measures that could be introduced by Western leaders if the controversial law was given passage.
Sources told The Telegraph that Olivér Várhelyi, the Hungarian commissioner responsible for EU enlargement, had recently engaged with the controversial Georgian leader.
The European Commission said it would not comment on “statements that accuse anonymously”.
An EU official added: “It’s very unfortunate from the Georgians. I’m not sure why he [Mr Kobakhidze] did this, it’s a new low.”
The Telegraph has contacted Mr Várhelyi’s representatives for comment.
Georgia, an EU candidate country, has been rocked by months-long protests while its government moved ahead with the legislation, which forces media and rights groups to disclose any foreign funding.
The law is similar to one in Russia that the Kremlin uses to crack down on free speech.
Several EU countries are urging Brussels to introduce sanctions against Georgia, including the withdrawal of the country’s visa-free travel regime to the bloc.
Estonia, Sweden, the Netherlands and Czech Republic are said to be pushing the hardest for the punitive measures ahead of a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers next week.
EU officials have warned the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has vowed to pass the law in the coming weeks, risks endangering its bid to join the bloc if the “foreign agents” bill is finally passed.
On Thursday, Russia accused the US of attempting to blackmail Georgia over the bill.
Washington has threatened to cut aid to Tbilisi and impose sanctions on officials over the legislation.
Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, on Wednesday said the law was “right out of Moscow’s playbook”.
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