Opposition Claims Political Motives Behind Sentence in Georgia
The Georgian government faces mounting criticism for its recent sentencing of opposition leader Mzia Amaghlobeli, which has been labeled as politically motivated and part of an intensifying crackdown on dissent, reports 24brussels.
Former President Salome Zourabichvili condemned the ruling, stating, “The regime is paralyzed — too cowardly to free Mzia Amaghlobeli, too weak to convict her. This isn’t justice. It’s a dying authoritarian system. And we won’t stop!”
The diplomatic missions of 23 countries and the European Union have denounced the sentence and called for Amaghlobeli’s release. Amnesty International criticized the trial, stating that it was “riddled with procedural irregularities and bias.”
Since the parliamentary elections in October, the ruling Georgian Dream party has led a crackdown on dissent, which has included jailing opposition leaders and assaulting anti-government protesters. Recently, a court authorized the forcible transfer of detained activist Nino Datashvili to a psychiatric facility, reflecting escalating repression.
While Baltic states have individually imposed sanctions on officials responsible for the crackdown, the European Union has been unable to unify its stance on sanctions due to opposition from Hungary and Slovakia.
The European Commission has warned that it may revoke Georgia’s visa-free travel to Europe if the government fails to address its democratic backsliding by September, a move that could be enacted without requiring unanimous consent.
Requests for comments from Georgian Dream and the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office were not immediately answered.
