
Finnish Foreign Minister fined $1,800 for ‘blocking the road’ after visiting Tbilisi protest
Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Head Elina Valtonen’s appearance at the Tbilisi protest drew the ruling party’s ire.

Finnish Foreign Minister and OSCE Head Elina Valtonen’s appearance at the Tbilisi protest drew the ruling party’s ire.

Elina Valtonen visited Tbilisi as part of a South Caucasus tour.

The invitation was sent in early September, less than a month ahead of election day on 4 October.

The ruling party has repeatedly denied that the OSCE would be invited to observe the elections in October.

Ahead of the visit, critics urged OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu not to meet with government officials.

The award was given to the GYLA for their efforts in protecting democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and due process for Georgians since 1994.

The proposed visit has been characterised by critics as a sign of Western legitimisation of Georgian Dream’s contested election.