Georgian Opposition Leader Aleko Elisashvili Sentenced to 13 Years for Attempted Terrorism

A Georgian court on Friday sentenced opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili to 13 years in prison on an attempted terrorism charge, a development that underscores the country's deepening political tensions. The conviction relates to an attempt to set fire to a court building in the capital, Tbilisi, last year.

Details of the Conviction

The Tbilisi City Court found Elisashvili, a founder of the Citizens party, guilty of breaking into the court’s chancellery building in November 2025, the Interpress news agency reported. According to the court, he used a hammer to smash a window before pouring gasoline inside and attempting to set the building on fire.

Elisashvili, who had pleaded not guilty, framed his actions as a protest against what he termed a government crackdown on the opposition. In his final address to the court, he defended his actions, stating, "I wanted to spit in the face of this government, to show that they cannot oppress us," as cited by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian service.

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Political Context and Implications

The verdict comes amid heightened concerns from government critics over democratic backsliding in Georgia, once considered one of the most pro-Western post-Soviet states. Several other opposition politicians are currently imprisoned.

The ruling Georgian Dream party has accused the opposition of attempting to foment violent coups and is seeking to ban a political alliance that includes Elisashvili's party. This political climate has strained relations with the European Union, which Georgia aspires to join, raising questions for investors about the country's long-term political stability and alignment with Western institutions. It was not immediately clear if Elisashvili would appeal the sentence.