Story
Georgian Opposition Politician Aleko Elisashvili Sentenced to 13 Years on Terrorism Charge
Summary
A court in Tbilisi sentenced Aleko Elisashvili, founder of the Citizens party, to 13 years in prison for attempting to set fire to a court building, a verdict that comes amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding in the country.
A Georgian court has sentenced opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili to 13 years in prison after convicting him on a terrorism charge, the Interpress news agency reported on Friday. The verdict stems from an incident in which Elisashvili attempted to set fire to a court building in the capital, Tbilisi, last year.
Details of the Conviction
The court found that in November 2025, Elisashvili, a founder of the Citizens party, broke into the Tbilisi City Court’s chancellery. According to the court's findings, he smashed a window, poured gasoline inside, and attempted to ignite the building.
Elisashvili pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted terrorism. He maintained that his actions were a form of protest against what he described as 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.
AdPolitical Context and EU Relations
The sentencing occurs against a backdrop of increasing political tension and accusations of authoritarianism leveled against the ruling Georgian Dream party. Government critics contend that the country, once a pro-Western democratic model in the post-Soviet region, has seen significant democratic backsliding, particularly since the start of the war in Ukraine.
The case highlights the deepening divide between the government and its opponents. Several opposition figures are currently imprisoned, and Elisashvili's party is part of a political coalition that the ruling party has sought to ban, accusing it of attempting to orchestrate violent coups. This political climate has strained Georgia's relationship with the European Union, which the nation aspires to join, raising concerns among international observers and investors about the country's political stability and commitment to democratic norms.