Sanctions will continue and will affect even more people – why should a government that brings no benefit to the country and its people remain in power, and why should they cling to power?

Phikria Chikhradze, a member of the Strong Georgia coalition, made this statement during an appearance on Palitranews’s Day’s Newsroom program, responding to the Baltic states imposing sanctions on Georgian prosecutors, judges, senior police officials, and a member of parliament.

According to Chikhradze, the Baltic states are the first to take such steps, and further sanctions from other European countries will follow.

"When are sanctions necessary? When a country is undergoing processes that do not fit within legal or political-moral frameworks. The government is doing everything to suppress freedom of expression, imprisoning those who protest, imposing disproportionate fines, and attempting to exert maximum control over free thought within the country. This control involves not only the ruling party but also the judiciary and the legal system. The courts are making political decisions, and the law is subsequently adjusted to fit these political decisions. Therefore, it is natural for countries that have supported Georgia’s European path and witnessed its struggle for freedom to try to assist democracy in some way.

Those who end up on the sanctions list also enter a certain registry, and within the European space, there will always be questions surrounding these individuals. They should not dismiss this issue with mockery.

It is no secret that the judiciary is in crisis—it is an unfortunate reality. Today, the court is controlled by a clan, and instead of correcting the previous government’s bad practices, they have been reinforced and have taken on an even more severe and oppressive nature. Judges, police officers who unlawfully detain citizens and prevent them from protesting, and prosecutors who fabricate cases all become enforcers of political decisions. Innocent people are accused of crimes they never committed, and false witnesses are brought against them—this is a grave matter.

I see that many of these judges—mostly women—go to the salon in the morning, fix their hair, throw on their robes, and then hand down unjust rulings without batting an eye. Everyone should be aware that they, too, could end up on such lists. Georgian Dream has long been feeding the public lies, and their entire propaganda is built on falsehoods. Who feels safe in this country? Those who protest daily do not feel safe, nor do public officials. Even members of the law enforcement system who have dared to oppose the system have not felt safe. When Georgian Dream talks about peace, they really mean instilling fear in the people. How can anyone feel safe and secure while relying on Russia? That is precisely why we seek a European future—an economic and security umbrella—so that both the country and its people can feel protected.

Sanctions will continue and will affect even more people. Under Georgian Dream, Georgia has no path forward in international relations. Why should a government that brings no benefit to the country and its people remain in power, and why should they cling to power?"

The politician also addressed the Venice Commission’s conclusion, stating that the laws adopted by Georgian Dream serve only one purpose—to help the government maintain its grip on power.

"I do not expect them to change these laws. The fines imposed on protesters are so disproportionate that even members of parliament would struggle to pay them with their salaries. Georgian Dream is passing unjust laws solely to maintain its hold on power. In the Strong Georgia coalition, we believe that citizens who have been subjected to disproportionate fines compared to their incomes should be compensated once the government changes."