Author Petras Austrevicius accuses Georgian government of persistent efforts to suppress and intimidate opposition figures
Rebellious Chatter: MEP Petras Austrevicius Slams Georgia's Regime for Oppression
Barrels of ink and fiery words swirl as MEP Petras Austrevicius pens a scathing piece on his X page, slamming the current regime in Georgia for its continued efforts to suppress and intimidate opposition.
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In a bold move, the Tbilisi City Court slapped fines on Miranda Bagaturia, spokesperson for the opposition party Akhali, and Ana Kurashvili, spokesperson for Girchi - More Freedom for an alleged shaking in the sandbox with a police officer. The regime in Georgia, according to Austrevicius, is now attempting to muzzle dissent within its borders.
The Tbilisi City Court’s gavel came down on both women, ordered to pay 4,000 GEL each. They were charged with insulting police officer Mirian Kavtaradze under Part 2 of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. The Ministry of Internal Affairs even requested pre-trial detention for both of them.
Read more: Tbilisi Court fines Girchi - More Freedom, Akhali press reps 4,000 GEL each
The Man Behind the Words: MEP Petras Auštrevičius
The actions of the Georgian government have become increasingly oppressive, particularly after the contentious 2024 parliamentary elections. Allegations of electoral fraud and state violence against protesters have snowballed, leading to mass demonstrations that the government has countered with draconian laws aimed at stifling civil society and opposition figures. Key developments include:
Legal and Political Repression- Foreign Agent Laws: The ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party introduced legislation forcing entities receiving foreign funds to register as "foreign agents," risking fines of up to 10,000 GEL ($3,650) and imprisonment for non-compliance.- Parliamentary Commission: A GD-led commission expanded its mandate to investigate opposition activities since 2012, potentially leading to constitutional court bans on parties like the United National Movement.- Criminalization of Protests: The government now prosecutes protest-related finances as "sabotage" or "collaboration with hostile foreign actors," with raids on activists' homes and frozen funds following close behind.
Recent EscalationsAlthough specific details about Miranda Bagaturia and Ana Kurashvili's run-in with the authorities remain scant, the broader pattern involves:- Targeted Fines: Dozens of protesters face punitive fines, with authorities criminalizing financial support for them.- Media and Activist Suppression: Independent outlets like Batumelebi/Netgazeti face harassment, and founder Mzia Amaghlobeli remains imprisoned.- Neutralizing Resistance: The GD employs tactics similar to those used by Belarusian and Russian regimes, including violent dispersals and mass arrests, to stifle opposition momentum.
Broader ImplicationsThe EU accession process is in jeopardy as the Georgian Dream (GD) balances pro-European rhetoric with anti-democratic practices. Opposition fragmentation and state repression have reduced protest turnout from hundreds of thousands to mere hundreds, reflecting a climate of fear and disillusionment.
The Tbilisi City Court's decision to fine Miranda Bagaturia and Ana Kurashvili, spokespersons for the opposition parties Akhali and Girchi - More Freedom, respectively, is another example of political intimidation in Georgia, as highlighted by MEP Petras Austrevicius. This incident reveals the escalating repression under the current regime, which has targeted opposition figures in a bid to limit dissent. The fines, amounting to 4,000 GEL each, have been imposed for allegedly insulting police officer Mirian Kavtaradze, a decision that indicates the expansion of draconian laws aimed at stifling critical voices. The broader pattern involves targeted fines for protesters, media suppression, and tactics reminiscent of authoritarian regimes like Belarus and Russia. These actions could jeopardize Georgia's EU accession process and foster a climate of fear and disillusionment among the opposition, leading to a significant drop in protest turnout.
