Giorgi Kldiashvili: The arrest of an opposition politician is a "black mark" for the country; as for those detained during the protests, despite the system's mobilization to prove their guilt, they are failing to do so

The arrest of an opposition politician is a “black mark” for the country. The latest letter Kobakhidze sent to Trump is a very good illustration of just how desperate this regime is.

They have few options left and have shifted to repression, – said Giorgi Kldiashvili, director of the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), on PalitraNews’ program “Day’s Newsroom.”

He was referring to the fact that former Defense Minister Irakli Okruashvili had his bail of 20,000 GEL replaced with pre-trial detention, and that Nika Gvaramia and Zurab Japaridze, leaders of the “Coalition for Changes,” are refusing to pay the bail. According to Kldiashvili, the process of political struggle is ongoing, and the politicians have decided not to comply with the regime’s decisions.

“In general, the arrest of an opposition politician is a black stain on the country. The last letter Kobakhidze sent to Trump is a very good illustration of how badly off this regime is. They don’t have many options left, and they’ve moved to repressive measures – including against the media, by cutting off all sources of funding, and against NGOs, which have been under repression for years. It’s clear they passed a law that bans political parties. At the same time, there’s a process supposedly aimed at prosecuting the previous regime. Those who did not show up to the commission after being summoned are being pursued. This is clearly part of a political struggle. When you do not recognize the regime and say that this parliament is not legitimate, you have grounds not to appear.

It’s a fact that a political struggle is taking place. Politicians have decided not to obey this regime’s decisions. I don’t want it to happen, but if the regime already decided to arrest Irakli Okruashvili, I am convinced they will act the same way again and arrest other political leaders too,” Kldiashvili stated.

He also assessed the cases of people arrested during protests. According to Kldiashvili, court proceedings reveal fabricated charges, false witnesses, and politically motivated persecution of individuals who are being punished for opposing the Russian-style regime.

“Political prisoners include those arrested not only during the recent protests, but also last year during the demonstrations against the ‘Russian law.’ These people are being held unlawfully, and the legal proceedings against them are also unlawful. The ongoing cases show that the prosecution has no solid evidence. Their witnesses cannot confirm the charges. This demonstrates that the persecution of these individuals has a specific goal. The charges are fabricated, the witnesses are false – whether police officers or others brought by the prosecution. Despite the system’s mobilization to prove the charges, they are failing. Court hearings show that these people are being targeted for political reasons and punished for exercising their freedom of expression, because they stood against the Russian regime,” said Kldiashvili.

In addition, he commented on the fact that leaders of the Council of Europe criticized the Georgian government in Luxembourg over democratic backsliding and pointed to specific challenges. According to Kldiashvili, since the parliamentary elections, when “the regime occupied the parliament,” not a single positive law has been adopted that would prompt a constructive reaction from partners.

“This regime is moving toward a pro-Russian direction. Its methods, laws, and anti-European behavior are in direct conflict with the population’s desire for Georgia to become a member of the European Union. When partners see that despite all their efforts the regime is taking a pro-Russian course and turning its back on the EU, criticism is naturally going to follow.

The laws this regime is adopting are the opposite of what’s happening in the EU. And when they pass a series of such draconian laws… Since the parliamentary elections, when the regime occupied the parliament, not a single positive law has been passed! Every law has been against the interests of the country, aimed at repressing society and the media. Naturally, our partners will react to all of this,” Kldiashvili said.