On November 6, Georgia’s Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze announced that criminal proceedings have been initiated against eight opposition leaders: Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Zurab “Girik” Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze.
“The criminal proceedings concern offenses against the state, specifically sabotage, assistance in hostile activities for foreign states, financing activities directed against Georgia’s constitutional order and national security foundations, and calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order and state authorities,” Gvarakidze stated during a briefing.
According to the ruling party’s prosecutor’s office, opposition party leaders Khoshtaria, Japaridze, and Vashadze allegedly provided foreign officials with information intended to create an artificial basis for international sanctions, claiming harm to Georgia’s state interests. This information reportedly included details about oil product imports and supposed situations in Georgia’s military sector, including false claims that Iran’s combat drones were being supplied to Russia via Georgian airspace.
The prosecutors also allege that Khoshtaria, Japaridze, and Vashadze periodically provided information and documents, including lists of public sector employees, to foreign state representatives to facilitate sanctions. According to the prosecution, as a result, approximately 300 Georgian citizens including political officials, civil servants, and some businesspeople faced sanctions from various countries.
The prosecutor’s office further claims that after the 2024 parliamentary elections, allegedly fraudulent, these opposition leaders Japaridze, Vashadze, Khoshtaria, Gvaramia, Melia, Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze took active measures to radicalize street protests. They reportedly called publicly for revolution, the overthrow of the government, occupation of state buildings, and physical confrontations with law enforcement.
Former President Mikheil Saakashvili, currently imprisoned, was also mentioned. The prosecution alleges that he used personal social media accounts and video messages widely disseminated in the media to urge supporters toward unlawful and violent actions, calling for the occupation of government buildings and the “collapse of the regime.”
The prosecutor’s office states that protests near the parliament “exceeded legally permitted limits” and that “violent actions were coordinated with the aforementioned politicians.” According to the investigation, the groups allegedly acted in concert, maintaining regular communication via so-called “radios,” which were seized, along with other items, during raids on the offices of opposition parties, including the United National Movement, Droa, and Girik-More Freedom.
The prosecution also details the involvement of NGOs and funds, claiming that financial and material resources were coordinated and provided to violent groups, with opposition politicians actively participating alongside NGOs and specially established “funds,” which in turn received international donor funding.
Charges reportedly filed are as follows: Mikheil Saakashvili faces Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia calling for violent change of the constitutional order or overthrow of state authorities. Zurab Japaridze and Giorgi Vashadze are charged under Article 318, Part 1, and Article 319 for sabotage and assisting foreign hostile activities. Elene Khoshtaria faces charges under Article 318, Part 1, Article 319, and Article 321 prima, Part 1, for sabotage, providing material resources for the crime, and assisting foreign hostile activities. Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze, and Badri Japaridze are charged under Article 318, Part 1, for sabotage.
Gvarakidze stated that as a preventive measure, the prosecution will request bail for Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze and will seek to set trial dates within the legally established timeframe for the other accused.
“The investigation is ongoing,” Gvarakidze concluded.