11.02.2008 - Source: Civil Georgia

Of the 44 people the opposition wants released, only 4 were arrested in connection with the unrest on 7 November 2007, according to a representative from the ruling party ("List of ‘Political Prisoners’ Disputed") [ID 22342]

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05.12.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Tbilisi: Movement for United Georgia party activists held rally outside German embassy in protest against extradition of former defence minister Irakli Okruashvili; according to member of United Georgia Koga Guntsadze, he would be a political prisoner once he returned to Georgia and must therefore not be extradited by Germany ("Activists Call on Germany not to Extradite Okruashvili") [ID 21804]

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30.11.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Eka Beselia, lawyer, and activists from Okruashvili’s party Movement for United Georgia say that Okruashvili is victim of politically motivated prosecution and should therefore not be extradited to Georgian authorities ("Party Calls on Germany not to Hand Over Okruashvili to Georgia") [ID 21779]

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14.11.2007 - Source: Civil Georgia

Public Defender Subari demands that law enforcement agencies should immediately stop persecution of political activists and ordinary citizens participating in the recent anti-governmental demonstrations ("Public Defender Condemns ‘Persecution of Protesters’") [ID 21642]

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26.09.2007 - Source: UK Home Office

No evidence that individuals who had low or medium level involvement with the previous regime are targeted or discriminated ("Operational Guidance Note; Georgia") [ID 21235]

"There is no evidence that individuals who had low or medium level involvement with the previous regime are targeted or discriminated against by the current authorities simply because they were associated with that government. Some high profile members of the Shevardnadze administration have been the subject of arrests and criminal charges but this has been on account of illegal activity and/or corruption. Low or medium level member or activists affiliated to the previous government are not likely to encounter persecution by the state authorities, while higher profile individuals are likely to fear prosecution rather than persecution. Therefore a claimant from this category of claim is unlikely to qualify for a grant of asylum or Humanitarian Protection."

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10.2006 - Source: International Federation for Human Rights

Central authorities use all possible methods to neutralize the opponents; police detained 29 supporters of former National Security Minister Igor Giorgadze ("Note: Situation of Human Rights in Georgia") [ID 18509]

"In the context of increasing political tensions, the central authorities use all possible methods to neutralize the opponents  

Georgian police detained 29 supporters and alleged associates of fugitive former National Security Minister Igor Giorgadze during raids in Tbilisi and other Georgian cities on September 6.  

The Georgian political activists arrested on suspicion of colluding with Giorgadze include Maia Nikolaishvili, who heads the so-called Anti-Soros movement; Maia Topuria, who heads the youth organization of the Samartlianoba (Justice) party that Giorgadze founded in early 2004; and Temur Zhorzholiani, chairman of the Conservative-Monarchist Party, who is said to have attended a meeting with Samartlianoba activists in May 2006 at which the alleged coup plans were discussed. Other members of Zhorzholiani's party have denied that allegation.  

Initial reports on September 6 that veteran opposition activist Irina Sarishvili-Chanturia, who began her political career in the late 1980s and currently heads a charitable organization that bears Giorgadze's name, was also arrested proved false. Sarishvili-Chanturia told journalists later on September 6 that allegations of a coup in the making were unfounded. Prosecutors say Batiashvili “gave recommendations and instructions” to Emzar Kvitsiani to plot a coup against the Georgian government. "

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25.09.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

2 men fined for obstructing activists from ruling National Movement party from exercising their political rights and insulting them while disseminating party’s election campaign leaflets; both have denied allegation, claiming they only refused to accept leaflet ("Men Fined for Election Campaign Flyer Row") [ID 17344]

For information on local elections 2006 refer to chapter Country Background, Politics & Law - Elections

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14.09.2006 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

Dozens of opposition activists detained for alleged involvement in a plot to overthrow the government; they could face life imprisonment ("Georgia Claims Coup Thwarted") [ID 17121]

"Nikoleishvili, who heads the Anti-Soros movement and is a died-in-the-wool opponent of the Georgian government, told the court that the alleged plotters met in May this year to discuss raising an armed rebellion against the government. She was released on bail of 10,000 US dollars, while 12 of the 29 other accused were remanded in custody for two months. The 12 insist they are innocent, and will continue their political struggle. Two days after the first wave of arrests, police detained Giorgadze’s former colleague Alexander Chumburidze, who they allege was planning to blow up the headquarters of the governing United National Movement party.Meanwhile, the main suspect, Giorgadze, who has featured on the Georgian police’s wanted list since 1995 when he was charged with attempting to assassinate the then president Eduard Shevardnadze – remains at large. Now living in Russia, he too denies the allegations of a coup plot, describing them as politically motivated.[...] Giorgadze held a press conference in Moscow in May saying he wanted to stage a peaceful “Nettle Revolution” to counter Mikheil Saakashvili’s Rose Revolution of 2003.[...] However, other opposition groups have spoken out against the arrests, insisting they are a politically driven attempt to intimidate the government’s critics.  Mamuka Katsitadze of the New Rights party warned that the authorities may “start using these methods in dealing not only with their political opponents, but with other sections of society, including the media”. Political analyst Gia Nodia was more cautious, saying that the Justice party is not a proper opposition group, and for example “did not even plan to take part in the local government elections”.[...]The government has countered the criticism by producing apparently incriminating evidence. Georgian television channels screened footage provided by the interior ministry in which two Justice activists – whose names were withheld – said they planned use money provided by Giorgadze to buy weapons and set up combat units for a September confrontation with the authorities. Film was also shown of Giorgadze supporters receiving payment after taking part in anti-government rallies.[...] Mikheil Machavariani, deputy speaker of the Georgian parliament, says the Georgian political organisations now under investigation received money from the Russian secret services, or as he called them “enemies of Georgia”. This is one of a number of claims that foreign spies are active in Georgia. [...] The speaker of Russia’s State Duma Boris Gryzlov said the recent events were proof that a “totalitarian regime” was being established in Georgia. [...]"

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07.09.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Police raided offices of several opposition groups and arrested 29 supporters of former National Security Minister Igor Giorgadze; among those detained were opposition politicians ("Georgian President Comments On Opposition Arrests") [ID 16930]

"The Georgian police on September 6 arrested 29 activists of a number of several opposition groups aligned with the Justice Party of Igor Giorgadze. Tbilisi's chief prosecutor said one suspect will also be charged with illegal possession of arms. A number of detainees have been released. Among those detained were several key opposition figures. Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili says anyone convicted of plotting to overthrow the government will "get what they deserve." Speaking during a visit to Poland on September 6, Saakashvili suggested the alleged coup plotters were financed from abroad. [...]"

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06.09.2006 - Source: BBC News

Nearly 30 people, including officials of 2 opposition parties, have been arrested by police on suspicion of plotting a coup against the government ("'Coup plotters' held in Georgia") [ID 16929]

Allegedly, supporters of Igor Giorgadze were detained who will be charged for plotting against state and overthrowing government; officials of 2 opposition parties (Justice Party and Conservative Monarchists) are among those detained

"They say those detained are supporters of Igor Giorgadze - the fugitive former head of the state security service. Lawyers for those arrested deny the coup accusations, saying the arrests amount to political persecution. Mr Giorgadze fled Georgia after being accused of trying to assassinate then President Eduard Shevardnadze in 1995 - a charge he denies. Some 450 police officers took part in the morning raids on houses and offices across Georgia, the BBC's Matthew Collin in Tbilisi reports.  "They will be charged under Article 315 of the Georgian criminal code - plotting against the state and overthrowing the government," Georgian Interior Minister Vano Merabishvili told reporters. Among those detained are officials of two opposition parties - the pro-Russian Justice Party and the Conservative Monarchists."

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29.07.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Former security chief of Georgia Irakli Batiashvili of the opposition Forward Georgia party sentenced to 2-month pre-trial detention after being charged with having links to coup attempt staged by rebel warlord Emzar Kvitsiani ("Ex-Official Sentenced to Custody over Alleged Plot Links") [ID 16931]

For information about Emzar Kvitsiani please refer to Topic and Issues files in Autonomous Territories, Abkhazia, Situation in Kodori gorge

"The Tbilisi City Court sentenced Irakli Batiashvili, a member of the opposition Forward Georgia party, to a two-month pre-trial detention on July 30 after he was charged with having links to a coup attempt staged by rebel warlord Emzar Kvitsiani. Batiashvili, who was Georgia’s security chief in early 90s, was arrested on July 29. He has denied the charges and described his arrest as politically-motivated. [...]"

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06.04.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Law enforcement agencies fail to investigate attack against Valeri Gelashvili of the opposition Republican Party; attack possibly masterminded by authorities, says public defender Sozar Subari’s human rights report ("Ombudsman Suspects Authorities Behind Attack on MP") [#48575], [ID 5197]

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21.03.2006 - Source: Civil Georgia

Member of Parliament Valery Gelashvili of the opposition Republican Party suspects chief of president's Administration and deputy of Interior Minister behind attack against him in July 2005 ("Opposition MP Suspects Officials Behind Attack") [#47374], [ID 5198]

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08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

According to parliamentary human rights committee and ombudsman there were no political prisoners; high-ranking officials considered themselves as political prisoners; Zviadists and Mkhedrioni were reportedly no longer held ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46124], [ID 5199]

"There were no reports of political detainees. [...]
The parliamentary human rights committee and ombudsman claimed that there were no official political prisoners in the country; however, many individuals, including several high‑ranking officials from the previous government, considered themselves political prisoners. International and local human rights organizations varied on estimates of how many political prisoners there were, reporting from none to 20.
Members of the former paramilitary group Mkhendrioni and the Zviadists were reportedly no longer being held. The remaining Zviadists were released pursuant to a routine pardoning commission recommendation and presidential approval.
The government permitted international human rights and domestic organizations to visit those claiming to be political prisoners, and some organizations did so during the year."

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01.12.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Draft law on lustration, which is aimed at excluding former Communist Party functionaries and officers of and collaborators with ex-Soviet secret services from serving in state structures, was presented ("Opposition Pushes Law on Lustration") [#41791], [ID 4556]

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30.09.2005 - Source: Prima News

Gori: Chairman of Regional Organization of Fairness Party beaten by 4 masked men; in another incident chairman of Batumi Party beaten by 4 masked men ("Attacks on local leaders of Fairness Party") [#38108], [ID 5200]

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28.09.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Person suspected of attacking and beating parliamentarian from opposition New Rights-Industrialists faction in Tbilisi, was arrested ("MP Attack Suspect Arrested") [#42525], [ID 5201]

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24.08.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Tbilisi: Parliamentarian from opposition New Rights-Industrialists faction Tamaz Kacheishvili was attacked and beaten up by unknown men ("MP Assaulted, Robbed in Tbilisi") [#42679], [ID 5202]

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14.07.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Tbilisi: Georgian MP from opposition Republican party brutally beaten up by unknown persons ("Opposition MP Attacked in Tbilisi") [#42694], [ID 5203]

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16.06.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

Car belonging to chief of opposition Conservative Party's regional office in Zestaponi exploded causing no injures; explosion reportedly aimed at intimidation of opposition activist, who has been accusing local administration of corruption ("Opposition Activist Cites Intimidation Behind Car Explosion") [#42856], [ID 5204]

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17.05.2005 - Source: Civil Georgia

MP of opposition Conservative Party injured after group of unknown men attacked and beat him; MPs of Conservative Party accuse "politcal opponents" of assault ("Opposition MP Assaulted") [#42874], [ID 5205]

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12.2004 - Source: Human Rights Center

According to political parties a new category of political prisoners emerged in the aftermath of the "Rose Revolution" ("One Step Forward, Two Steps Back: Human Rights in Georgia after the “Rose Revolution”") [#27594], [ID 5206]

For a documentation of individual cases please refer to the original document

"The issue of political prisoners is becoming a concern. Many organizations and political parties consider that a new category of political prisoners emerges in Georgia. We do not doubt that some people are detained for political motives. Among those cases that give rise to suspicion are supporters of ex-president Gamsakhurdia, who are being detained under the accusation of violating public order and insulting the Minister of Economy; students from Batumi – Lasha Chakhvadze and Merab Mikeladze; Sulkhan Molashvili Ex-chairman of the Chamber of Control. The International Organization Against Torture has made an address to the president of Georgia regarding the case of Molashvili. OMCT wishes to express its deepest concerns for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Sulkhan Molashvili and urges an immediate release in the absence of legal charges that are consistent with international law standards, or, if such charges exist, bring them before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee procedural rights at all times. OMCT also urges the authorities of Georgia to ensure that the ongoing investigation of the injuries suffered by Mr. Sulkhan Molashvili is thorough and impartial, in order to bring those responsible to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law and guarantee that adequate reparation is provided to the victim.35"

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04.11.2004 - Source: Human Rights Center

Number of political prisoners increased; 3 members of the political organization “Round Table” imprisoned since July 2004 for violation of public order and insulting the Minister of Economy Bendukidze ("The Number of Political Prisoners Increased") [#26799], [ID 5207]

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26.07.2004 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

3 people, including a 16-year-old boy, detained in Tbilisi for allegedly insulting Economy Minister Kakha Bendukidze were remanded to pretrial detention for three months ("Georgian oppositionists remanded to pretrial detention (Newsline Volume 8 Number 140)") [#24285], [ID 5208]

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08.01.2004 - Source: Civil Georgia

Prosecutor’s office filed criminal charges against one of the allies of ex-President Shevardnadze, former governor of the Kvemo Kartli region Levan Mamaladze; accused of extortion ("Arrest Warrant Issued against Shevardnadze’s former Ally") [#18615], [ID 5210]

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06.11.2003 - Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting

3 people injured as local nationalist activists opened fire on Saakashvili protestors on the oposition's mass rally in the western town of Zugdidi ("Georgia in Turmoil after Disputed Poll") [#17465], [ID 5211]

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31.10.2003 - Source: Prima News

Beso Jugheli, candidate MP from United National Movement party, brutally beaten up after television debate ("Candidate MP beaten up") [#17240], [ID 5212]

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10.2003 - Source: Human Rights Center

00.10.2003 - HRIDC: Meetings of youth movement Kmara dispersed, participants beaten by police ("Monthly Bulletin 10 (56), October 2003") [#17235], [ID 5213]

"On 10 October 10 in Tbilisi, police prevented the youth movement Kmara (Enough) from demonstrating in front of the State Chancellery whilst the residentially-backed election bloc “For New Georgia” was holding a presentation of its election platform.

Protesters were beaten by police according to reports. In addition seven activists were ar-rested and detained for two hours without being charged before they were finally released.

On 11 October police dispersed another anti-governmental protest rally from Kmara in the western Georgian city of Poti.

Kmara activists were beaten by police, some individuals reportedly receiving severe and mul-tiple injuries.

The Kmara activists tried to protest against President Shevardnadze who was visiting Poti.

The Rustavi 2 TV channel reported that its crew was also attacked by the police. Law en-forcement officers seized a video camera along with a tape showing the police beating the students."

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10.2003 - Source: Human Rights Center

00.10.2003 - HRIDC: Kmara activists attacked by "Democratic Revival Union" members ("Monthly Bulletin 10 (56), October 2003") [#17235], [ID 5214]

"On 14 October, however, youth movement “Kmara” activists were distributing booklets near the Tbilisi office of the Democratic Revival Union (head of this organisation is Aslan Aba-shidze) when they claim the “Democratic Revival Union” members attacked them.

According Tsotne Bakuria, head of the Tbilisi organisation of DRU, “Kmara” activists were attacked for “distribution of homosexual proclamations.”

Another member of the DRU, Anzor Abralava, says that “Kmara” members walk around city streets and disturb or agitate the population.

“Kmara” activist, Giorgi Oniani, says that they were peacefully distributing booklets, which included some information about weaknesses of the government. When the “Kmara” members reached the DRU office, several people came out of the building and forced the activists into the hall whilst taking away their booklets. At this point, approximately 40 DRU members then physically assaulted the “Kmara” activists."

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10.2003 - Source: Human Rights Center

00.10.2003 - HRIDC: Kmara office ransacked ("Monthly Bulletin 10 (56), October 2003") [#17235], [ID 5215]

"On October 23, Kmara activists found their office ransacked. According to Kmara members, when they left the office late the previous evening, everything was in order. When they re-turned to the office the next morning, they found broken windows, and insulting leaflets strewn throughout the building.
Kmara members believe that the attack was planned and ordered by the government. Kmara is pressing for an official investigation of the incident."

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14.08.2003 - Source: Human Rights Center

Gia Shaishmelashvili, chairman of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee for Cultural Heritage, attacked by unidentified persons ("Monthly Bulletin 6-7 (52-53), July 2003") [#15071], [ID 5216]

"Gia Shaishmelashvili, the chairman of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee for Cultural Heritage, was attacked by unidentified persons. According to information from “Inter Press,” supplied by the Committee for Education,
the incident took place on 23 June at approximately 0:30a.m. on Nikoladze Street in Tbilisi. The assailants abused Shaishmelashvili physically and robbed him of 21 lari. The statement of the case was drawn up and given to Mtatsminda-Krtsanisi prosecutor for further investigation. It is worth mentioning that the father of the Vice Speaker of the Parliament, Gigi Tsereteli, was attacked on the same street several months ago."

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09.01.2003 - Source: Prima News

Badri Zarandia, leader of the Union of Patriots of Georgia, commander of an armed group of former president Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s supporter killed in Zugdidi by unknoen persons ("Zviad Gamsakhurdia’s supporter killed in Georgia") [#15877], [ID 5217]

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13.09.2001 - Source: Council of Europe - Parliamentary Assembly

Council of Europe: Amnesty for political prisoners ("Honouring of obligations and commitments by Georgia [Doc. 9191]") [#10653], [ID 5218]

"99. Georgia undertook upon accession “to abolish within six months after its accession the existing prison system, which puts prisoners with prior political activities in the same cells as other prisoners; (…) to review the cases of persons convicted or detained for their part in the political upheavals of 1991-1992 within two years after its accession;”.

100. We were pleased to learn that, after his election, all prisoners with prior political activities were pardoned by President Shevarnadze. Others were pardoned and released last year. Thus, one of the alleged political prisoners who the eminent lawyers had visited in 1997, Mr Kitovani, even stood for election in Parliament in 1999. Mr Iosselani, who the eminent lawyers had also visited in detention, had been released in April 2000."

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