Georgian politician Aleko Elisashvili jailed over court arson

Aleko Elisashvili

A court in Georgia has sentenced opposition leader Aleko Elisashvili to 13 years in prison for attempting to set fire to a court building.

Judge Giorgi Gelashvili delivered the verdict at Tbilisi City Court during a closed session on Sunday, after members of the public and the media were ordered to leave the courtroom.

Defence lawyers had requested that journalists be allowed to hear the final ruling, but the judge rejected the appeal.

Elisashvili, who leads the opposition Citizens party, rejected the charges and questioned the independence of the judiciary, arguing that the outcome of his trial had been "predetermined".

"I am here because I love my country," he said in his final statement to the court. "My conscience is clear before my country."

He maintained that his actions were a political protest against the government rather than an attempt to cause physical harm.

At the end of his statement, the politician used profane language to denounce the Georgian authorities, expressed support for Ukraine, and made insulting remarks about Russia.

Elisashvili was arrested on 29 November 2025. Prosecutors charged him with attempted terrorism, alleging that he had tried to set fire to the administration building of Tbilisi City Court in the early hours of that morning.

According to the prosecution, forensic staff were injured during the incident. Attempted terrorism in Georgia carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

In March 2026, prosecutors brought additional charges against the opposition leader, alleging that he had also tried to set fire to the archives of the Tbilisi City Court on 4 May 2025.