Sabotage denunciation gives reason to persecute Georgian NGOs

The General Prosecutor Office of Georgia has launched an investigation against foreign organizations and organizations under foreign control, accusing them of sabotage and hostile activities. The case has been instituted based on a denunciation from a public movement associated with the “Georgian Dream” Party.

Lawyer Gela Nikolaishvili, one of the leaders of the “United Neutral Georgia” movement, reported that he lodged a complaint to the General Prosecutor Office of Georgia in January. The lawyer claimed that his complaint was preceded by events with signs of sabotage.

“In fact, clashes had been taking place in front of the parliament building during the week, and the article on sabotage in the country’s Criminal Code directly indicates that an act of sabotage is being done with the aim of weakening Georgia. For example, actions that have signs of sabotage include those with calls for isolating Georgia, blocking highways, overthrowing the government, and causing damage to public institutions. Those actions lead to a decline in the economy and devaluation of the national currency,” the lawyer explained.

Gela Nikolaishvili claimed that NGOs financed by foreign foundations demanded the creation of a technical government several years ago. According to the lawyer’s version, the NGOs financed by foreign foundations organize violence at the rallies of supporters of Georgia’s European integration.

“Most people go to rallies with good will, but there are organizers who pursue their own goals,” Gela Nikolaishvili noted.

Zaal Andjaparidze, a programme coordinator at the International Centre for Conflicts and Negotiations, pointed out that the “United Neutral Georgia” movement positions itself as independent, but its leaders are associated with the ruling “Georgian Dream-Democratic Movement” Party and its founder, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The investigation launched by the General Prosecutor Office of Georgia is part of the persecution of the opposition and one of the methods of intimidating dissenters, claims David Darchiashvili, a former member of the Georgian parliament.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 12, 2025 at 02:11 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.