Georgian prosecutors have charged eight leading opposition figures, including jailed former President Mikheil Saakashvili, with plotting to overthrow the government and aiding foreign powers, Reuters reports.
The outlet reports that the defendants include Saakashvili and seven other leaders from Georgia’s three main opposition blocs. The move, which is expected to deepen concerns about democracy in the EU candidate country, has sparked strong condemnation from opposition parties. One of the main opposition blocs, which the ruling Georgian Dream party is seeking to outlaw, described the prosecutors’ decision as “an attempt to establish a Russian-style dictatorship” and vowed to resist.
At a briefing earlier today, the Prosecutor General’s Office announced that criminal proceedings have been initiated against Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze, Elene Khoshtaria, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze.
Prosecutor Giorgi Gvaramidze, Mikheil Saakashvili will be charged under Article 317 of the Criminal Code of Georgia for calling for the violent change of the constitutional order or the overthrow of the state government. Zurab “Girchi” Japaridze and Giorgi Vashadze will be charged under Articles 318 (Part 1) and 319 for sabotage and assisting a foreign country in hostile activities. Elene Khoshtaria is charged under Articles 318 (Part 1), 319 and 321 (Part 1) for sabotage, providing material resources for the crime, and assisting a foreign country in hostile activities. Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Mamuka Khazaradze and Badri Japaridze are charged under Article 318 (Part 1) for sabotage.
The case marks a dramatic escalation in the standoff between Georgia’s ruling party and the opposition, coming just days after renewed criticism from Brussels over the country’s democratic backsliding.
