Georgian Opposition Politician Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison
A Georgian court sentenced opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili to 13 years in prison after finding him guilty of attempted terrorism. The verdict relates to an attempted arson attack on the Tbilisi City Courthouse in November 2025.
According to the court’s ruling, Elisashvili entered the courthouse by breaking a window with a hammer. He then allegedly doused the building with gasoline and attempted to start a fire.
However, the founder of the Citizens Party denied all charges against him. He asserted that his actions were a form of protest against government policies that were seen as increasingly suppressing opposition groups, not an act of terrorism.
Elisashvili’s sentence adds to the growing list of opposition figures facing legal action in Georgia. In recent years, the Georgian Dream Party government has come under scrutiny for allegedly restricting political opponents’ freedom of movement and tightening its control over the country’s political life.
The Georgian government denies these allegations. Instead, the ruling party accuses the opposition of attempting to create political instability and instigate a violent coup.
Political developments in Georgia have also drawn international attention. Some believe the quality of democracy in the former Soviet Union continues to decline, leading to increasingly tense relations between Tbilisi and the European Union, even though Georgia still expresses its desire to join the bloc.
It is currently unclear whether Elisashvili will appeal the verdict.
In his final statement in court, Elisashvili maintained his stance, describing his actions as a form of resistance against the government.
“I wanted to spit in the face of this government, to show that they cannot oppress us,” he said in court.
