Day: December 23, 2025

De facto authorities in Russia-occupied Tskhinvali have arrested Tamar Mearakishvili, an Akhalgori-based Georgian civic activist and a Georgian citizen, accusing her of “espionage.”

The Georgian State Security Service told Civil.ge Tskhinvali confirmed the arrest of Mearakishvili, “a Georgian citizen permanently residing in the occupied territory,” adding “intensive communication” is underway on the issue.

RES, a media outlet run by de facto authorities, reported late on December 22 that Tskhinvali’s de facto prosecutors opened a criminal probe against a Georgian citizen under Article 276 of the Russian criminal code, which covers espionage.

“According to the investigation, a Georgian citizen staying in South Ossetia collected and transmitted information about strategically important objects in the republic, thereby threatening the country’s security,” RES reported.

While the media report did not specify the name, human rights advocates in Tbilisi confirmed Mearakishvili’s detention.

“Illegal actions against Tamar Mearakishvili have continued for years by the local regime,” Ucha Nanuashvili, former Georgian Public Defender, wrote on Facebook, noting that “persecution of critical citizens is reaching new levels in the region.”

Nanuashvili called on Tbilisi and the international community to “urgently” start working to free Mearakishvili.

Mearakishvili, an outspoken civic activist who in the past has also worked as a journalist for different media outlets, has faced arrest and prosecution before. She was briefly detained in 2017, accused of spreading defamatory information against local de facto authorities, and later also prosecuted on allegations of fabricating official documents by claiming “South Ossetian” citizenship without renouncing Georgian citizenship.

In 2019, however, a court in Akhalgori lifted charges against her.

Also Read:

• 05/10/2025 – Sokhumi Detains Georgian National in Gali on ‘Espionage’ Charges
• 09/04/2020 – Amnesty Int’l: Tskhinvali Authorities Must Stop Persecuting Outspoken Journalists

Georgian PM Extends Congratulations to President Ilham Aliyev  Caspian Post

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