Georgia's Ruling Party Intensifies Crackdown: Six Opposition Leaders Jailed in a Month Amid Controversial Inquiry

Georgia's political landscape is increasingly fraught as the ruling Georgian Dream party escalates its actions against opposition figures, leading to the imprisonment of six prominent leaders within the last month. These arrests stem primarily from the opposition's refusal to appear before a controversial parliamentary investigative commission, which critics decry as a tool for political persecution.

The recent wave of arrests is directly linked to the "Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament of Georgia on the Activities of the Regime and Political Figures of the 2003–2012 Period," established by the Georgian Dream party on February 5, 2025, with its creation announced on January 9, 2025. Initially, the commission's mandate was limited to investigating the activities of the United National Movement (UNM) government between 2003 and 2012. However, its scope was later controversially expanded to cover the present day, granting Georgian Dream the power to target any opposition representative.

Many opposition politicians, including those now imprisoned, have openly refused to participate in the commission's sessions, deeming both the commission and the current parliament (formed after the boycotted 2024 parliamentary elections) illegitimate. This refusal has led to criminal charges under Article 349, which allows for fines, up to one year in

prison, and a ban from public service for up to three years.

In a rapid succession of judicial actions, four opposition leaders were sentenced to prison terms over just two days. On June 23, 2025, Mamuka Khazaradze of the "Lelo" party and Badri Japaridze of "Strong Georgia" were each sentenced to 8 months in prison. On the same day, Zurab Japaridze, leader of the "Coalition for Change" and "Girchi – More Freedom" party, received a 7-month sentence.

The arrests continued on June 23, with Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the "Agmashenebeli Strategy" party, being sentenced to 7 months in prison and barred from holding public office for two years. Vashadze, who did not attend his court hearing, was arrested by police at his party's office after holding a press conference where he criticized the authorities as "those hiding behind the police." His party, "Girchi – More Freedom," has dismissed the court proceedings as "part of a circus called a court."

These recent convictions bring the total number of opposition leaders arrested in Georgia over the last month to six. Nika Melia and Nika Gvaramia, leaders of the "Akhali" Party, and former defense minister Irakli Okruashvili are also among those currently serving jail terms or in pre-trial detention for similar charges of failing to appear before the commission.

The escalating judicial pressure has drawn sharp criticism both domestically and internationally. Salome Zourabichvili, Georgia's fifth president, publicly condemned the actions of the ruling party, stating that Georgian Dream is in a "paranoid state" and that this is a "classic sign that the regime is in its final stages." She highlighted concerns about increasing repression and fear within the system, urging the opposition and society to continue peaceful protests and unite around a single strategy.

International voices have also expressed grave concern. US Congressman Joe Wilson sharply denounced the verdicts on social media, writing: "The illegitimate 'Georgian Dream' regime is intensifying repression by unlawfully arresting opposition leaders Zurab Japaridze, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze. Ivanishvili is trying to turn the country into a one-party state serving communist China. The Senate must pass the #MEGOBARI Act!"

The Georgian Dream party, for its part, has openly declared its intention to use the findings of the parliamentary commission to appeal to the Constitutional Court to ban the country's main opposition parties. This move aligns with a promise made to voters ahead of the 2024 elections, with the ruling party asserting that all major opposition groups are "satellites" of the United National Movement and their activities should be ceased.

The recent imprisonment of key opposition figures marks a significant escalation in Georgia's political crisis. With the ruling party openly pursuing the banning of opposition groups and international condemnation growing, the coming months are likely to see continued internal fragmentation, protests, and increased scrutiny from the international community regarding Georgia's democratic trajectory. The unity of the opposition and the resolve of the public in the face of these challenges will be crucial in shaping the country's future.