The U.S. Embassy is very well aware of the tactics of our radical opposition and the non-governmental sector, who, regarding any issue, try to sow hysteria and cause unrest in society.

This is how the Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, commented on the statement issued by the U.S. Embassy regarding the "bomb threat in three shopping centers in Tbilisi."

According to Papuashvili, the U.S. Embassy's statement became fertile ground for the hysterical and disinformation campaign that has been seen multiple times before.

"In American justice, there is such a principle – you cannot scream 'fire' in a crowded theater. It’s unfortunate that this statement was made publicly without coordinating with the security service. In such cases, any diplomatic service should be in very close coordination with the relevant security structures, and these contacts exist. It is very regrettable and surprising that this statement was made without coordination. If we look at the overall impact, such statements, especially when the U.S. Embassy knows very well the tactics of our radical opposition and non-governmental sector to sow hysteria about any issue, and stir up anxiety in society, it becomes clear that the embassy’s statement gave fertile ground for the hysterical and disinformation campaign we’ve seen multiple times. Yesterday, we saw how the entire propaganda media and the opposition tried to panic society," Papuashvili stated.

The Speaker of Parliament further explained that the statement from the State Security Service (SSS) confirmed that the information was not credible.

"The State Security Service's statement that this was a false alarm exactly indicates that. There was no prior communication, coordination on this matter, including consultation. I am sure this will not happen in the future," Papuashvili said.

For information, according to the U.S. Embassy, they received information about a bomb threat in three shopping centers in Tbilisi. The named shopping centers were "East Point," "Galeria Tbilisi," and "Tbilisi Mall." In response, the State Security Service issued a statement saying its relevant units were working on another false alert. The SSS also called on representatives of the accredited diplomatic corps in Georgia to show more responsibility and refrain from spreading uncoordinated statements with the relevant authorities.