Story
Georgian Opposition Politician Aleko Elisashvili Sentenced to 13 Years for Attempted Terrorism
Summary
A court in Tbilisi has sentenced Aleko Elisashvili, a founder of the Citizens party, to 13 years in prison on an attempted terrorism charge. The verdict comes amid growing concerns from critics and the EU about democratic backsliding in Georgia.
A Georgian court has sentenced opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili to 13 years in prison after convicting him on an attempted terrorism charge, the Interpress news agency reported on Friday. The conviction stems from an incident in November 2025 where Elisashvili attempted to set fire to a court building in the capital, Tbilisi.
The Verdict and Charges
The court found that Elisashvili, a founder of the Citizens party, broke into the Tbilisi City Court’s chancellery building by smashing a window, poured gasoline inside, and attempted to ignite it. Elisashvili had pleaded not guilty, framing his actions as a protest against what he described as a government crackdown on the opposition.
In his final address to the court, Elisashvili defended his actions. "I wanted to spit in the face of this government, to show that they cannot oppress us," he said, according to a report from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Georgian service. It was not immediately clear if he would appeal the sentence.
AdPolitical Context and EU Relations
The sentencing occurs against a backdrop of increasing political tension in Georgia. Government critics and international observers have raised alarms about democratic backsliding, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine. Several 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. These developments have placed a growing strain on Georgia's relationship with the European Union, which the country aspires to join, due to concerns over the state of its democracy.