“We expect the law enforcement agencies to respond to Tina Bokuchava’s statement just as swiftly and immediately as they did, for example, in the case of Mariam Lashkhi or when other Georgian Dream MPs were insulted. We also expect a response as prompt as the one the Prosecutor’s Office demonstrated regarding opposition members during the investigation committee’s case. This should be very easy to investigate—if the will exists.”

This was stated by Levan Natroshvili, Executive Director of ISFED, on Palitra News’ program "Newsroom of the Day", in response to Tina Bokuchava’s announcement regarding the alleged abduction and coercion of her husband, Kote Ioseliani.

According to Natroshvili, such cases happen in Russia and other authoritarian regimes:

“Clearly, this is an unimaginable situation—if it truly happened as described. Such things do not occur in democratic countries. They happen in countries like Russia or other authoritarian regimes. Therefore, we expect a very swift and immediate reaction from law enforcement. Just as fast as in Mariam Lashkhi’s case, when it came to her being insulted, or in the case of any other Georgian Dream MP. We expect the same urgency as shown by the Prosecutor’s Office toward opposition figures during the parliamentary investigative committee case.

This is a much more serious issue, with far greater implications than those cases. In normal countries, it is absolutely unimaginable for the spouse of a leader of one of the major opposition parties to be kidnapped under unclear circumstances and for such a video to be released afterward. This is a test for the law enforcement bodies. The statement included concrete details—where the person was abducted from, where he was held, etc. In reality, it would be a very simple case to investigate, if the will exists.”

Natroshvili also responded to the complaint submitted by the Georgian Dream faction to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The complaint is aimed at initiating legal proceedings in response to what they described as an “externally funded hate speech campaign” targeting their MPs. Natroshvili said:

“First and foremost, we must say that the hate and smear campaign is actually coming from Georgian Dream. It was their actions that led to the division of this society, to separating people into groups, demonizing them, attaching labels to specific communities, and so on. Therefore, we must question their sincerity when they claim to want to fight hate speech.

What’s really going on is that they simply cannot tolerate differing opinions, and this is the method they are using to silence various groups.

Who blurred the line between free speech and insult? That’s the main question here. If they truly had noble intentions—to prevent division in society and reduce political and social polarization—they carry a special responsibility. They should lead by example. Unfortunately, they are the ones sowing the hatred and hostility that then causes reactions in society, which can escalate into verbal or even physical abuse. Ultimately, the greatest responsibility always lies with those who hold power. If they set the right example, the political temperature would naturally lower, and such incidents would no longer occur.”

Natroshvili also added that:

“This process is also being used as part of an anti-Western campaign.

In fact, we’re seeing these two narratives intertwined. Georgian Dream’s campaign is based on two things: on the one hand, discrediting our international partners—countries that have been Georgia’s allies and supporters for decades and are the guarantors of our state’s independence. And on the other hand, demonizing domestic groups.

The chosen strategy is to go after both ‘hares’—they attack international partners and, at the same time, their domestic critics. That includes opposition groups, civil activists, and ordinary citizens. This is a classic PR campaign. It’s not the first time we’ve seen this in Georgia or abroad.

This is a conspiracy theory—one that claims our international partners are trying to stir up unrest in Georgia, change the government, etc. Through this narrative, they are trying to convince their supporters that their recent actions are justified.

This applies both to the worsening and tightening of legislation and to the practical restrictions on civil and political rights.

The discreditation campaign is being used to justify the undemocratic steps taken against certain groups—and also the political direction of freezing the EU integration process.”

For context: Yesterday, Kote Ioseliani released a video in which he apologized to Uta Ivanishvili, son of Bidzina Ivanishvili, for remarks he had made years ago. In response, Tina Bokuchava, Chair of United National Movement, stated at a briefing today that her husband, Kote Ioseliani, had been kidnapped by five masked individuals, was held and pressured for eight hours, and was threatened with harm to their children prior to recording the video.