Georgia jails top opposition figures as authorities ramp up crackdown The Washington Post
Day: June 24, 2025
Georgian Dream Economy Minister Levan Davitashvili has been removed from his post and replaced by his deputy Mariam Kvrivishvili, GD Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced at a June 24 briefing.
Davitashvili, who has been Georgia’s Economy Minister since 2022, will now serve as Kobakhidze’s chief adviser on economic affairs and as Secretary of the Economic Council, a coordinating body chaired by the Prime Minister.
“Leading the ministry is associated with a demanding routine,” Kobakhidze said, adding that “relieving” Davitashvili of the role would allow him “to more effectively ensure continued rapid economic growth, attract investments, and carry out other practical tasks.” He then introduced the new minister, Mariam Kvrivishvili, and wished her success in her new capacity.
Davitashvili thanked Kobakhidze for their work together, saying he hoped that “in a new format, we will be able to further accelerate and coordinate the important strategic projects that are crucial for the country’s continued development.”
He also thanked Georgian Dream founder and Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, saying he had given him a “unique chance” to serve in senior positions. Davitashvili also wished Mariam Kvrivishvili success in her new role.
The changes come amid a broader months-long reshuffle within Georgian Dream, during which several longtime party figures and ministers have left their posts.
- 28/05/2025 – GD Interior Minister Gomelauri Resigns
- 25/04/2025 – GD Chairman Garibashvili Quits Politics, Stresses Loyalty to Ivanishvili
- 04/04/2025 – GD Drops Security Chief Liluashvili as Minister Pick
Notably, Davitashvili has recently paid an official visit to the United States, where he met with the representatives of the U.S. State Department, among others. The visit came amid strained ties between Washington and Tbilisi, and the Georgian Dream’s declared wish to reset relations.
“They even cut off the last connection with the Americans and the European Union,” said former Defense Minister Tina Khidasheli, reacting to Davitashvili’s removal. “The only person in the government whom anyone would talk to is leaving,” she said in a Facebook post.
The new Georgian Dream Economy Minister, Mariam Kvrivishvili, 35, has served as Deputy Economy Minister since 2021. Ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections, she was number 12 on the party’s list of MP candidates and is also a member of Georgian Dream’s Political Council.
Davitashvili’s reassignment also follows the arrest and criminal investigation of former First Deputy Economy Minister Romeo Mikautadze, who was charged with money laundering and abuse of power. Mikautadze served under Davitashvili, among others.
On June 23, when asked about Mikautadze’s alleged elite corruption cases and whether Davitashvili or other senior officials were questioned, Irakli Kobakhidze said, “The investigation concerns the activities of a specific individual within the Ministry of Economy. As for Davitashvili, no one questions his integrity.”
Also Read:
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- 01/04/2025 – GD Minister of Economy Davitashvili Meets with US Ambassador Dunnigan
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The defense argued that despite the journalists being accused of smuggling, there is no concrete evidence supporting the allegation.
Today, the Khatai District Court reviewed the prosecution’s requests to extend the detention periods of some journalists arrested in connection with the “Meydan TV case.”
In separate hearings, the detention periods of Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Nurlan Gahramanli (Libre), and Aytaj Ahmadova (Tapdig) were extended by another three months.
Defense lawyers objected to the motion, arguing there was no need to extend the detention.
They emphasized that the journalists had not committed any crimes. According to the defense, although the journalists are accused of smuggling, there is no strong evidence to support this.
In court, Aynur Elgunash stated that the court should not act as a notary and should not simply approve orders coming from above.
The journalists’ lawyers said they would appeal the decision.
On December 6, 2024, five Meydan TV employees — Ramin Deko (Jabrayilzade), Aynur Ganbarova (Elgunash), Aytaj Tapdig, Aysel Umudova, Khayala Aghayeva, and Natig Javadli — were detained. They were charged under Article 206.3.2 of the Criminal Code (smuggling committed in collusion by a group of persons). As a result, they were sentenced to four months of pre-trial detention during the investigation period.
On the same day, civil society member Ulvi Tahirov was also detained. He received the same charges and a four-month detention order. Ulvi Tahirov has no connection with Meydan TV.
On February 5, 2025, Shamshad Aghayev (Agha), editor-in-chief of the website “argument.az” and a journalist who collaborated with Meydan TV, was also detained. A pre-trial detention measure was applied to him as well.
On February 20, journalist Nurlan Libre (Gahramanli) was detained in connection with a criminal case related to Meydan TV. The court also issued a pre-trial detention order for him.
Fatima Movlamli was detained on February 28 in connection with another criminal case related to Meydan TV. The Khatai District Court issued an arrest warrant for her.
Journalist Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) was detained on May 7 as part of a criminal case related to Meydan TV and was arrested by decision of the Khatai District Court.
The homes of the detained journalists were searched, and their phones, computers, and other personal belongings were confiscated.
The detained journalists insist they are innocent and say they are being punished for their journalistic work as Meydan TV staff.
Currently, around 30 journalists and public activists are in prison on similar charges. They deny the accusations and link them to their professional activities. Government representatives claim that there are no politically motivated arrests in the country.
International human rights organizations and Western officials have called on the government to release those who have been unjustly detained.
The post Detention periods extended for Aynur Elgunash, Nurlan Libre, and Aytaj Taptig appeared first on MEYDAN.TV.
Georgian opposition figure Vashadze jailed
A court has sentenced Giorgi Vashadze, leader of the Strategy Aghmashenebeli party, to seven months in prison and barred him from holding public office for two years.
The verdict follows his failure to appear before a parliamentary inquiry commission investigating the activities of Georgia’s previous government between 2003 and 2012. Vashadze was charged under Article 349, which allows for a fine or up to one year in prison, as well as a ban from public service for up to three years.
Earlier, the court had imposed a bail of 50,000 lari, which Vashadze paid within the legal deadline.
On 5 February 2025, the ruling Georgian Dream party established a parliamentary commission to investigate the activities of the United National Movement government, formally titled the “Temporary Investigative Commission of the Parliament of Georgia on the Activities of the Regime and Political Figures of the 2003–2012 Period.”
The creation of the commission was first announced on 9 January 2025. According to Mamuka Mdinaradze, leader of the Georgian Dream parliamentary faction, the commission will operate for six months and present its findings for discussion and approval during the first week of the September session..
The verdict against Giorgi Vashadze was delivered by Tbilisi City Court judge Nino Galustashvili, despite a defence motion to postpone the hearing to allow for closing arguments. The defendant was not present in court and awaited the verdict at his party’s headquarters alongside fellow party members.
On 23 June 2025, a court aligned with the ruling Georgian Dream party sentenced three opposition leaders — Mamuka Khazaradze (Lelo), Badri Japaridze (Strong Georgia), and Zurab Japaridze (Coalition for Change) — to prison.
Nika Melia, Zurab Japaridze, Nika Gvaramia (Coalition for Change), and former defence minister Irakli Okruashvili are already serving jail terms for failing to appear before a parliamentary inquiry commission.
