Georgia jails third opposition leader as crackdown expands
TBILISI, June 13 (Reuters) - Georgian opposition politician Nika Gvaramia was placed in pre-trial detention on Friday for up to nine months, the latest of several prominent government critics to be jailed.
Having weathered mass demonstrations over a disputed October election and a subsequent decision to halt talks on joining the European Union, Georgian authorities have moved to clamp down on leading figures of the protest movement.
Gvaramia had refused to testify to a parliamentary commission investigating alleged wrongdoing under jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, who was in power from 2004 to 2012. If convicted of failing to comply with the commission, he could be jailed for up to one year.
Gvaramia is a leader of the pro-Western Coalition for Change bloc which came second in the October election that the opposition rejected as fraudulent. The government rejected the allegation, but two U.S. polling organisations said there was evidence of manipulation.
Gvaramia did not attend his court hearing, instead reporting to prison before the verdict was announced, in what his party said was an effort to show the decision was pre-determined by a biased court.
In a post on Facebook, he wrote: "Not one step back! Our homeland is behind us! The oligarchy must fall! Glory to Georgia!"
Two other Coalition for Change leaders, Zurab Japaridze and Nika Melia, are already in jail on similar charges.
A media entrepreneur who served under Saakashvili in a series of ministerial roles, Gvaramia was previously imprisoned for abuse of office from 2022 to 2023, in a case Western countries said was politically motivated.
Traditionally one of the Soviet Union's most pro-Western and democratic successor states, Georgia has moved in a sharply authoritarian direction in the past two years, with the ruling Georgian Dream party passing a series of laws critics have described as draconian.
Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire ex-prime minister widely seen as the country's most powerful man, has repeatedly pledged to ban opposition parties, whilst also presiding over warming ties with Russia and souring relations with the West.
Earlier this week, authorities issued court summons to over a dozen activists, journalists and opposition politicians on charges of insulting ruling party lawmakers.
On Thursday, a court jailed a 21-year-old protester for four and a half years for assaulting police, in a case government critics have said is fabricated.
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BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Georgia jails six political figures in one week in crackdown on opposition
Georgian opposition leader Nika Melia has become the latest opposition figure to be sent to jail this week in a crackdown described by observers as an unprecedented attack on the country's South Caucausus state has seen months of political turmoil since the government halted its path to join the EU in the wake of disputed prominent politicians have been given jail terms, and another two are in pre-trial detention, so that most of the leaders of the pro-Western opposition are now behind Friday, Nika Melia, one of the leaders of Coalition for Change, was jailed for eight months by a court in Tbilisi and former opposition MP Givi Targamadze was given seven months. The scale and speed of the crackdown has come as a shock, and Nika Melia accused the government of trying to break the courage of Georgians. All of the jailed politicians have been convicted of refusing to testify before a parliamentary commission and barred from holding public office for two years. In what it called "the most severe democratic collapse in Georgia's post-Soviet history", anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International said the governing Georgian Dream party, led by billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, had launched "a full-scale authoritarian offensive".In a matter of days, jail terms have also been handed down to four other opposition leaders: Giorgi Vashadze, Zurab Japaridze, Badri Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze. Another prominent opposition leader, Nika Gvaramia, is in pre-trial detention as well as a former defence minister."The Soviet Union has returned to our present and wants our minds to cling to the past," Nika Melia wrote on Facebook. Georgia regained its independence when the Soviet Union collapsed in said this week that the arrest of opposition leaders was an "unprecedented attack on Georgia's democracy" and it called for an end to "repressive actions". After last October's elections, the opposition accused Ivanishvili's party of stealing the vote. Opposition parties then boycotted parliament and, when the European Parliament denounced the election as neither free nor fair, the ruling party halted Georgia's bid to join the European have since protested in central Tbilisi every night for more than 200 nights, demanding new elections and the release of all prisoners arrested during pro-EU government then set up an investigative parliamentary commission into the "alleged crimes" of the previous government before Georgian Dream came to power in 2012, specifically the period covering Georgia's war with Russia in 2008. Failing to comply with a "lawful request" by a parliamentary commission is a criminal offence under Georgia's criminal code. Opposition politicians have refused to testify, partly because of their boycott of parliament, but also because they reject it as a politically motivated attack on government critics. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told parliament on Friday that the commission was doing very important work exposing a previous government that was "entirely built on crime"."Everyone must understand once and for all that there is no place for criminals in Georgian politics."Human rights groups say 500 people have been arrested during the recent street protests and that 300 of them were subjected to torture. As many as 60 people are being held as political prisoners, they journalist Mzia Amaglobeli remains imprisoned, and independent TV stations face censorship and financial ruin. Earlier this week 40 civil society groups said that Bidzina Ivanishvili had "chosen to maintain power through dictatorship, and fundamental human rights are violated every day".Ivanishvili, who is under US sanctions, accumulated his wealth in Russia during the 1990s. He formally retired from politics but is widely believed to have control over all branches of month, a former confidant of Ivanishvili who went on the run said he was "kidnapped from abroad" and flown back to Georgia by force as a political Bachiashvili had been on trial in Georgia accused of misappropriating millions of dollars in a case he said was politically authorities say Bachiashvili, 39, was convicted of a crime while in absentia and will serve his jail lawyer, Robert Amsterdam, told the BBC he was deeply concerned for his safety: "Too many people see him as a highly competent political figure."
JAMnews
a day ago
- JAMnews
PACE debates need for sanctions against Georgian Dream
PACE debates need for sanctions against Georgian Dream The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) held a debate on Georgia, with speakers highlighting the country's democratic backsliding — including the arrest of opposition leaders, journalists, and participants in pro-European rallies. Members of the assembly called on Georgian Dream to release political prisoners and urged sanctions against those 'responsible for the repression.' What did speakers say? Erik-Niils Kross (Estonia): 'Colleagues, what more needs to happen in Georgia for us to finally wake up and take action? I would also ask you to use the right words to describe what's going on — and to stop calling it 'democratic backsliding'. This is not backsliding; it is a takeover of Georgia in the Russian style — allegedly under the direction and with the support of Russia. It is a state capture by an oligarchic, autocratic regime inspired and controlled by Moscow, and it is happening before our eyes. Bidzina Ivanishvili and his so-called government are turning Georgia 180 degrees — from democracy to dictatorship. Georgian Dream is rapidly consolidating authoritarian power. So let's be honest: if we fail to act now, we become complicit. Silence is no longer neutrality. Silence is betrayal. We therefore call for immediate targeted sanctions against all Georgian Dream officials — ministers, MPs, judges, police — and their families. We urge respected officials, civil servants, and police officers in Georgia to resign and join the people. We demand international legal action against Georgia, as was once done in the European Court of Human Rights and against the 'black colonels' in Greece, for grave violations — because Georgia now faces the threat of becoming the next country enslaved [by Russia], like Belarus today, which once belonged to Europe. This would be a victory for Russia and the 'Russian world', and a defeat for Europe and for this Assembly.' Perran Moon (United Kingdom): 'I had intended to speak specifically about the politically motivated arrests of Zurab Japaridze and Nika Melia, but while the world's attention was focused on the Middle East, Georgia's discredited government seized the moment to intensify its crackdown on democracy. It is now clear that the arrests of Japaridze and Melia on minor procedural charges are part of a broader campaign of repression. In fact, six opposition leaders have been arrested over the past few weeks. As Zurab Japaridze was led away in handcuffs, he said: 'In the end, we will win.' That is the spirit of someone who believes in freedom, even as he is forcibly silenced. That is the voice that must be heard in this chamber — and across Europe. And these arrests are no longer isolated incidents. Nika Gvaramia, another detained opposition leader, must also be added to the list of political prisoners. Last Wednesday in London, I met with Badri Japaridze, leader of the opposition party Lelo, who told me about laws passed in Georgia that restrict media freedom, civil society, and peaceful assembly. He mentioned he was returning to Tbilisi, expecting a minor charge and a fine from an unfair court. Instead, this Monday, Badri Japaridze and his co-leader Mamuka Khazaradze were sentenced to seven months in prison and banned from holding public office for two years. These are not just opposition figures — they are symbols of Georgia's democratic aspirations and resistance to organised authoritarianism. Friends, I must tell you: time is running out, and action is needed now. We are approaching the last possible moment to act on Georgia. If we are serious about supporting those who bravely resist political persecution in Georgia, we must hold the perpetrators accountable. Not just with words, but with action — freezing their assets, restricting access to Western education and institutions, and denying them the luxury of holidaying abroad while they dismantle democracy at home.' Oleksiy Honcharenko (Ukraine): 'Yesterday in this chamber, we welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who delivered a speech — but before that, he signed the agreement on a special tribunal. A truly historic moment — a tribunal to prosecute Russian aggression. But you know what? Six member states didn't sign it. And one of them was Georgia. Georgia — a country that itself has been a victim of Russian aggression. 20% of Georgia's territory is occupied by Russia — nearly the same share as in Ukraine. Georgia became a victim of the Moscow regime even before us — and yet it refuses to support a tribunal against Russian aggression. Can you believe that? So the question is: who does the Georgian government really work for? Who are their masters? When opposition leaders are arrested, this is not the voice of the Georgian people — it is the whisper of the Kremlin. The Georgian people deserve leaders who represent their interests — not Putin's. Yes, some of the blame lies with all of us. There was a moment in 2008 when Ukraine and Georgia stood at NATO's doorstep, and NATO said: 'Yes, we'll let you in — but we don't know when.' Many didn't understand what that meant — but Putin did. In 2008, he launched a war against Georgia, and later, against Ukraine. Now he is taking Georgia through hybrid means, because Russian tanks are too busy in Ukraine. That's why the attack on Georgia is being carried out not by tanks, but by puppets and Russian agents. This is not Bidzina Ivanishvili — he should be called 'Lukashvili', because he is turning Georgia into Belarus. This is Belarus's path: first losing democracy, then losing statehood. And now it is an occupied country. That is exactly what is happening in Georgia today. Just a few months ago, we met here with Giorgi Vashadze and other Georgian leaders who are now in prison. Just imagine — we met with them, shook their hands, said 'Long live Georgia' — and now they are behind bars.' Petra Bayr (Austria): 'According to the 2024 Democracy Index compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Georgia ranks fourth in the world for democratic backsliding — and first in the South Caucasus. Protests demanding new elections have been ongoing for over 200 days. The government led by Georgian Dream has resorted to a range of repressive measures, including restrictive laws, harsher criminal prosecutions, and, at times, severe sentences against protesters, civil society, and prominent opposition figures. There is little indication that these protests will lead to political change in the near future. The most high-profile arrest so far has been that of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder and director of an independent media outlet. She was detained in Batumi for putting up protest stickers and allegedly assaulting a police officer. Georgian Dream has passed laws aimed at suppressing dissent — for example, increasing fines and prison sentences, and reinstating the criminal offence of 'treason'. In December 2024, the administrative fine for blocking a road rose from the equivalent of €180 to €1,800 — a clear attempt to deter people from defending their fundamental rights. Our response must be unequivocal. There is a red line when it comes to our shared values, and imprisoning people for trying to exercise basic human rights such as freedom of expression and speech is completely unacceptable. We must not lose hope. We must increase the pressure — to push for new elections, demand investigations into violence against activists and peaceful demonstrators, and of course, to call for the release of all political prisoners.' Albana Vokshi (Albania): 'Just last week, four leaders of the democratic opposition were arrested — not for committing any crime, but for refusing to appear before a so-called parliamentary investigative commission that has nothing to do with the rule of law and is entirely tied to political persecution. Today, Georgia's accountability institutions have become tools of repression. Let us not forget that Georgia's third president, Mikheil Saakashvili — who once served as a vice-president of this Assembly — remains in politically motivated detention. And he is not alone. Other prominent opposition figures have also been arrested. The chair of the main opposition party, the United National Movement, Tina Bokuchava — one of the most prominent and active opposition leaders — has become a target of state terror. Her husband was forcibly abducted, and her children have been threatened. This is not politics. This is persecution. We must call things by their name. And if we don't face reality, very soon all opposition leaders in Georgia will be in prison — and the opposition itself will cease to exist.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Judge blocks Georgia's social media age verification law, citing free speech concerns
Georgia has become the latest state where a federal judge has blocked a law requiring age verification for social media accounts. Like in seven other states where such laws have been blocked, a federal judge ruled Thursday that the Georgia law infringes on free speech rights. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Amy Totenberg means that the Georgia measure, which passed in 2024, won't take effect next week as scheduled. Instead, Totenberg granted a preliminary injunction blocking the law until there's a full ruling on the issue. Georgia's law would require some social media providers to take 'commercially reasonable' steps to verify a user's age and require children younger than 16 to get parental permission for accounts. It was challenged by NetChoice, a trade group representing online businesses. 'The state seeks to erect barriers to speech that cannot withstand the rigorous scrutiny that the Constitution requires,' Totenberg wrote, finding the law restricts the rights of minors, chills the right to anonymous speech online and restricts the ability of people to receive speech from social media platforms. Georgia will appeal, a spokesperson for Attorney General Chris Carr said Thursday. 'We will continue to defend commonsense measures that empower parents and protect our children online,' spokesperson Kara Murray said in a statement. Parents — and even some teens themselves — are growing increasingly concerned about the effects of social media use on young people. Supporters of the laws have said they are needed to help curb the explosive use of social media among young people, and what researchers say is an associated increase in depression and anxiety. Totenberg said concerns about social media harming children are legitimate, but don't outweigh the constitutional violation. Totenberg wrote that NetChoice's members would be irreparably harmed by the law. She rejected arguments from the state that the group shouldn't get temporary relief because it had delayed filing its lawsuit by a year and because the state would be required to give 90 days' notice before enforcing the law. 'Free expression doesn't end where government anxiety begins," NetChoice Director of Litigation Chris Marchese said in a statement. "Parents— not politicians — should guide their children's lives online and offline— and no one should have to hand over a government ID to speak in digital spaces.' It's the ninth state where NetChoice has blocked a law over children's use of social media. In Arkansas and Ohio, federal judges have permanently overturned the laws. Besides Georgia, measures are also on hold in California, Florida, Mississippi, Texas and Utah. Louisiana agreed to not enforce its law while litigation proceeds. Only in Tennessee did a federal judge decline to temporarily block a law, finding NetChoice hadn't proved that people would be irreparably harmed if the law wasn't blocked before trial. Georgia had argued the law was meant to protect children in a dangerous place, likening it to banning them from bars serving alcohol instead of restricting their speech.
