Georgia Charges Top Opposition Leaders Over 'Coup Plot'
The Georgian government charges eight opposition figures, including ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, with plotting to overthrow the government and aiding foreign powers.
Tbilisi, Georgia – On Thursday, the Georgian authorities charged eight prominent opposition figures, among them the jailed former president Mikheil Saakashvili, with an alleged plot to overthrow the government.
These charges are part of a widening crackdown on dissent within the country.
The prosecution alleges that these politicians have engaged in activities harmful to Georgia's constitutional order and national security by sharing sensitive information about energy and defense sectors with Western governments, which subsequently led to sanctions against Georgian officials.
Those charged include Saakashvili, who is currently serving a 12.5-year sentence for abuse of office—a conviction that human rights groups widely regard as politically motivated.
The most severe charge levied against them, 'assisting a foreign state in hostile activities,' carries a maximum prison term of 15 years.
Several opposition leaders, already imprisoned on what many perceive to be political reprisal charges, are among those targeted.
They include Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, and Elene Khoshtaria.
Gvaramia dismissed the allegations as 'absurd political theater,' accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of waging a 'war on democracy.' He proclaimed, "The oligarchy must fall," on social media.
Zurab Japaridze of the Girchi party and Elene Khoshtaria from the Droa party have also reacted to the charges.
Both accused the government of crossing a threshold into authoritarian rule.
Khoshtaria vowed that "no intimidation will stop us from defending Georgia's European future".
According to the Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze, these opposition members were alleged to have provided information to Western governments which facilitated sanctions against Georgian officials and sought to radicalize ongoing street protests against the government following the disputed parliamentary elections in October last year.
Saakashvili is accused of urging his supporters via social media to resist and dismantle the current regime.
The European Union has been critical of Tbilisi's democratic regression over recent years.
Last month, Georgian Dream requested that the Constitutional Court ban the country’s three major opposition forces.
This request underscores the party's tightening grip on political dissent in Georgia, a country seeking closer ties with the EU amidst accusations of drifting towards Russia following the latter's invasion of Ukraine.
Georgian Dream has consistently denied these allegations, attributing its actions to ensuring stability after Russia's incursion into Ukraine.
These charges are part of a widening crackdown on dissent within the country.
The prosecution alleges that these politicians have engaged in activities harmful to Georgia's constitutional order and national security by sharing sensitive information about energy and defense sectors with Western governments, which subsequently led to sanctions against Georgian officials.
Those charged include Saakashvili, who is currently serving a 12.5-year sentence for abuse of office—a conviction that human rights groups widely regard as politically motivated.
The most severe charge levied against them, 'assisting a foreign state in hostile activities,' carries a maximum prison term of 15 years.
Several opposition leaders, already imprisoned on what many perceive to be political reprisal charges, are among those targeted.
They include Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, and Elene Khoshtaria.
Gvaramia dismissed the allegations as 'absurd political theater,' accusing the ruling Georgian Dream party of waging a 'war on democracy.' He proclaimed, "The oligarchy must fall," on social media.
Zurab Japaridze of the Girchi party and Elene Khoshtaria from the Droa party have also reacted to the charges.
Both accused the government of crossing a threshold into authoritarian rule.
Khoshtaria vowed that "no intimidation will stop us from defending Georgia's European future".
According to the Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze, these opposition members were alleged to have provided information to Western governments which facilitated sanctions against Georgian officials and sought to radicalize ongoing street protests against the government following the disputed parliamentary elections in October last year.
Saakashvili is accused of urging his supporters via social media to resist and dismantle the current regime.
The European Union has been critical of Tbilisi's democratic regression over recent years.
Last month, Georgian Dream requested that the Constitutional Court ban the country’s three major opposition forces.
This request underscores the party's tightening grip on political dissent in Georgia, a country seeking closer ties with the EU amidst accusations of drifting towards Russia following the latter's invasion of Ukraine.
Georgian Dream has consistently denied these allegations, attributing its actions to ensuring stability after Russia's incursion into Ukraine.
