How repression in Georgia is intensifying and how the opposition might respond

04.07.2025, 17:34 eurointegration.com.ua

In recent weeks, the Georgian authorities have sharply escalated their repressive actions.

Within just a few days, six leaders of opposition parties were arrested. All of whom have since been sentenced to 7 or 8 months in prison. Two more opposition politicians are still awaiting their verdicts.

And it seems the authorities have no intention of stopping.

Read more about the reasons behind and consequences of this crackdown in Georgia in the article by Yurii Panchenko, European Pravda's editor: Tbilisi under pressure: why Georgia’s authorities still don’t feel victorious.

Ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections, Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder and honourary chairman of the ruling Georgian Dream party, announced plans to seek a ban on virtually all opposition forces in Georgia.

The implementation of that promise was swift.

Earlier this year, a parliamentary investigative commission was created. It initially set out to examine the causes of the 2008 Russia-Georgia war, effectively promoting the overtly pro-Russian narrative that then-President Saakashvili started the conflict.

Later, the commission expanded its investigation to other events during Saakashvili’s presidency. And soon it became known that the commission’s mandate would be extended further to probe details of the 2003 Rose Revolution – yet another gift to Russian propaganda.

Although the commission’s findings have yet to be published, its initial outcomes are already evident.

Georgia’s parliament quickly introduced criminal penalties for refusing to cooperate with the commission. Six opposition leaders have been sentenced under this new provision.

In addition to the 7-8 month prison terms, they were all banned from holding public office for two years.

Given the commission’s extended mandate, the list of prosecuted opposition figures could grow.

So far, the only opposition leader who agreed to testify has been former prime minister and leader of the For Georgia party, Giorgi Gakharia.

One reason for the crackdown is the upcoming local elections set for this autumn.

This puts the opposition in a difficult dilemma: whether to participate in the elections or boycott them.

If the opposition takes part, it will signal that the question of the authorities’ legitimacy is off the table – a symbolic victory for the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Georgian Dream has made it clear it plans to promote a "friendly" opposition in these elections. A boycott by pro-European forces would only make it easier for the government to execute this plan.

The current escalation shows that despite their formal control of the situation, Georgian Dream feels deeply insecure.

The opposition has so far refused to return to parliament, even though doing so could at least provide some protection from further criminal persecution.

Meanwhile, Europe’s stance is gradually shifting, but not in the direction the Georgian authorities had hoped.

Additionally, a draft US congressional bill imposing sanctions on Georgia has long been sitting in Congress and could be brought to a vote at any moment.

And finally, despite all the government’s intimidation, protest activity in Georgia remains high. This means the country could "explode" again at any time.

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