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Day: June 12, 2026
Freedom House on US-Georgia relations
International human rights organisation Freedom House has published an article titled “No Reset Without Release: Georgia’s Political Prisoners and the Price of Better Relations with Washington.”
The organisation argues that relations between the United States and Georgia should not be normalised until the Georgian government releases individuals whom Freedom House believes are being detained or imprisoned for exercising their fundamental freedoms.
The authors note that senior Georgian officials have repeatedly expressed a desire in recent months to improve relations with the administration of Donald Trump.
According to Freedom House, members of the Georgian Dream government have portrayed renewed diplomatic contacts and commercial projects — including the possible construction of a 70-storey Trump Tower in Tbilisi — as signs of improving relations between Washington and Tbilisi after several years of tension.
However, the organisation argues that Georgian Dream has continued to pursue a foreign policy that raises concerns among Western partners. The article notes that the government has expanded cooperation with China, including through a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2023.
The article also discusses Georgia’s deepening ties with Iran, the participation of senior Georgian officials in Iranian state events, and allegations that Georgia has been involved in possible schemes to circumvent international sanctions imposed on Iran.
The authors further note that the Georgian government has faced increasing criticism over allegations that it has helped facilitate the circumvention of sanctions imposed on Russia.
According to Freedom House, the shift in Georgia’s foreign policy has coincided with a broad campaign against dissent at home. The organisation says this process followed the adoption of laws widely viewed as repressive, as well as the government’s decision to suspend EU accession talks in 2024. The authors argue that the move ignored strong public support for European integration and closer ties with democratic partners.
The article also argues that the authorities increasingly portray Euro-Atlantic integration not as a foundation for Georgia’s security and prosperity, but as a source of instability and conflict.
“Journalists, political opponents, students, artists and ordinary citizens have been imprisoned, while the authorities have adopted laws aimed at restricting freedom of expression,” the article states.
Freedom House also cites assessments by the US State Department. It notes that the suspension of EU accession talks followed parliamentary elections that, according to the department, were marred by allegations of fraud and voter intimidation.
According to the organisation, Georgia remains classified as a “Partly Free” country. In Freedom House’s 2026 report, Georgia’s score fell to 51 points, seven points lower than two years earlier.
The authors argue that it is in the strategic interests of the United States to prevent Georgia from drifting further away from the West and moving closer to states that Washington regards as adversaries.
“Washington should seek to keep Georgia within the democratic and Euro-Atlantic space, as the country’s future will affect the balance of influence between democratic and authoritarian forces in a strategically important region. However, this does not mean that the United States should normalise relations on Georgian Dream’s terms.
The Trump administration should treat the release of Georgia’s political prisoners as the first and most obvious test of whether Georgian Dream is genuinely prepared to take steps that would improve relations with the United States,” the authors write.
Political prisoners
Freedom House argues that the Trump administration has already demonstrated how high-level diplomatic engagement can help secure the release of political prisoners. As an example, the organisation points to the work of special envoy John Cole, which it says contributed to the release of hundreds of prisoners from Belarusian jails in recent months.
According to the authors, the issue of political prisoners in Georgia deserves the same level of international attention.
One of the most prominent examples cited in the article is Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
Freedom House also highlights the case of young activist Zviad Tsetskhladze, who, according to the organisation, was arrested during pro-European protests in December 2024 and remains in prison. The organisation describes him as a symbol of the government’s campaign against student and youth activism.
The authors stress that the crackdown extends beyond political activists. The article mentions actor Andro Chichinadze and opera singer Paata Burchuladze, whom the organisation says have faced legal pressure because of their links to protest activities.
Freedom House also draws attention to opposition politicians, including Giorgi Vashadze, Zurab Japaridze, Nika Melia and Elene Khoshtaria, who it says have been subjected to persecution.
The authors argue that these cases reflect a broader trend in which the judicial system and prosecutors are increasingly being used to suppress dissent and weaken the democratic opposition.
According to Freedom House, independent monitoring organisations have documented systemic bias in the courts, disproportionate use of pre-trial detention and politically motivated prosecutions of peaceful protesters.
The organisation notes that before 2024 only a small number of such cases had been recorded. It says Georgian human rights groups now report that 113 people are in prison on cases widely regarded as politically motivated. Of those, 58 are serving sentences and 55 remain in pre-trial detention.
The path to freedom
According to Freedom House, the Trump administration’s national security strategy provides a clear framework for making the release of political prisoners a key condition for any “reset” in US-Georgia relations.
The article cites provisions of the strategy stating that freedom of speech, religion and conscience, as well as the right of citizens to choose and govern their own government, are fundamental rights that should not be restricted. The document also states that the United States will pressure countries that claim to uphold these principles to put those commitments into practice.
The authors write that the Georgian government frequently professes its commitment to these values, but argue that its treatment of political prisoners offers a more reliable test of whether those declarations reflect reality.
According to Freedom House, the United States should not normalise what it describes as ongoing repression in Georgia simply because Georgian Dream has sought to improve relations with Washington through diplomatic engagement and business initiatives.
The authors argue that if the ruling party wants closer cooperation with the United States, Washington should demand concrete democratic reforms in return. These should include restoring political pluralism, protecting civil society and independent media, and ensuring free and fair elections.
According to Freedom House, such reforms are essential if Georgia is to remain within the Euro-Atlantic community rather than drift into the sphere of influence of authoritarian states.
“The release of political prisoners should be viewed as a minimum requirement, not the final demand,” the article states.
The organisation also argues that as long as Georgian Dream continues what it describes as the repression of its own citizens, the weakening of democratic institutions and the deepening of ties with forces opposed to the United States, Washington and its partners should maintain pressure on those responsible.
Freedom House suggests that such pressure could include sanctions, visa restrictions and other targeted measures against officials, judges, prosecutors and influential supporters whom the article links to democratic backsliding and politically motivated repression.
In conclusion, the organisation notes that a significant share of Georgia’s population continues to support democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration. Freedom House says US policy should reflect and demonstrate solidarity with those aspirations.
Freedom House on US-Georgia relations
Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, together with a delegation of several GD ministers, visited Kyrgyzstan on June 11-12 in what he said was the first “top-level” visit between the two states.
The delegation included GD Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili, Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili, Agriculture Minister Levan Songulashvili, and Government Administration Head Levan Zhorzholiani.
Among other events, Kobakhidze met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov in an expanded format, and the two leaders signed a “joint statement” on bilateral cooperation. “A number of memoranda of cooperation” were also signed in various fields, the Georgian side said.
The parties also held a session of the “Georgia-Kyrgyzstan Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation,” where they discussed opportunities to expand trade and economic ties.
The two leaders then made joint media statements.
Meeting with President Sadyr Japarov
On June 12, Irakli Kobakhidze met with Sadyr Japarov at the Kyrgyz Presidential Palace in Bishkek. The meeting was held in an expanded format and was attended by ministers from both countries, the Georgian government administration said in a press release.
Kobakhidze, quoted in the press release, said that the trip marked the first “top-level” visit between the two countries. “We sincerely hope that this visit will provide a new impetus to strengthening relations between our countries. Georgia and Kyrgyzstan enjoy positive political and economic relations, and there is considerable potential for their further enhancement,” he said, adding that the Georgian side is interested in expanding cooperation “not only in the political and economic spheres, but also in culture and education.” He thanked Kyrgyzstan for its support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Japarov described the visit as marking “a new chapter” in bilateral relations and said he expected it to “contribute to the further strengthening of our political, economic, humanitarian and cultural ties.” He expressed readiness to deepen “cooperation in trade, economic and infrastructure sectors, as well as within international formats and to benefit from Georgia’s successful experience,” saying he is confident that the visit will “yield concrete practical results.”
According to the press release, following the meeting, “a number of memoranda of cooperation were signed” between the two countries “in various fields,” and Kobakhidze and Japarov also signed a joint statement “reaffirming the parties’ commitment to further developing bilateral relations across a wide range of sectors.”
Joint Media Statements
- Kobakhidze’s Speech
In his speech published by the government administration, Irakli Kobakhidze thanked the Kyrgyz side for hosting the delegation, describing the talks as “interesting and substantive” and expressing gratitude for Kyrgyzstan’s “firm, unconditional and consistent support” for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He congratulated the country on the 35th anniversary of independence, and wished “the friendly Kyrgyz people peace and prosperity.” Georgia views Kyrgyzstan as both “an important and reliable partner” and a friendly nation, he said.
He went on to say that particular attention had been devoted to “trade and economic cooperation” during his meeting with the Kyrgyz side, as well as cooperation within international organizations. According to him, the discussions also covered transport and logistics, including “the importance of developing the Middle Corridor and the need to intensify efforts aimed at supporting its growth and attracting additional cargo flows.” He added that Georgia is “closely following” the implementation of the “China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project,” expressing hope that it will “progress rapidly.”
“Georgia, for its part, is making significant investments to enhance its transit function. We believe that these processes will substantially contribute to the further development of trade and economic relations between our regions and, specifically, between our two countries,” he said, noting that the discussions touched upon deepening cooperation in tourism and increasing bilateral tourist flows.
Kobakhidze also invited Japarov to visit Georgia.
- Japarov’s Address
President Japarov described Georgia as an “important partner” and said bilateral relations are based on “mutual trust, mutual respect and long-standing cooperation.” He said the talks covered “political dialogue, trade and economic relations, investment and sectoral cooperation, as well as the development of cultural and humanitarian ties.”
“We emphasized the importance of maintaining regular political dialogue, deepening intergovernmental and interparliamentary contacts, and expanding consultations between our foreign ministries,” he said.
Japarov also highlighted the importance of “linking the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway with Georgia’s port infrastructure,” saying, “We stressed that cooperation in this area represents one of the priority directions of bilateral relations between our two countries,” adding that Bishkek is interested in “implementing exchange programs in education, science, culture, youth policy and sports.”
He expressed hope that “the agreements reached today will further strengthen Kyrgyz-Georgian relations, facilitate the implementation of mutually beneficial projects and contribute to the prosperity of the peoples of our two countries,” and thanked the Georgian side “for supporting Kyrgyzstan’s international initiatives concerning the sustainable development of mountain regions, and we once again reaffirm our readiness to cooperate closely in this area.”
Botchorishvili Meets Kyrgyz FM
On June 11, Georgian Dream Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev, according to the Georgian Foreign Ministry.
“The ministers discussed issues about bilateral and multilateral cooperation,” the Foreign Ministry said, adding, “Particular emphasis was placed on the significance of the first official visit at the highest level from Georgia, which is expected to provide renewed impetus to cooperation between the two countries. In this context, the parties underscored the importance of maintaining high-level dialogue between Georgia and the Kyrgyz Republic.”
The ministry added that the discussions also focused on “cooperation in the fields of transport and logistics, as well as the strategic importance of developing the Middle Corridor for both countries, and issues related to regional cooperation.”
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