Georgian opposition parties say they will appeal to French authorities to investigate Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, citing his reported dual French and Georgian citizenship.
The announcement came from representatives of the newly formed Opposition Alliance, who said they are taking responsibility for advancing key recommendations outlined in a recent OSCE report that criticizes Georgia’s democratic trajectory.
The report, commissioned under the OSCE’s Moscow Mechanism, describes a “marked democratic backsliding” in the country, along with a pattern of violence and abuse against dissenters — in some cases allegedly reaching the threshold of torture — often accompanied by near-total impunity.
Opposition figures said the findings create “a fundamentally new international reality” and require a coordinated response. “The Opposition Alliance has new responsibilities in this context,” said Giga Lemonjava of the Droa party.
Among the report’s recommendations is a call for OSCE member states to pursue legal action against members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, including through international mechanisms such as the International Criminal Court.
The opposition also highlighted the principle of universal jurisdiction, which allows national courts to prosecute serious crimes regardless of where they were committed. In this context, they named France as a key jurisdiction, pointing to Ivanishvili’s alleged French citizenship.
“We are launching active communication with French investigative authorities, including the Prosecutor’s Office, to initiate an investigation into Bidzina Ivanishvili at the national level,” the alliance said, referring to allegations of systemic abuse and the use of prohibited methods against protesters.
The alliance further indicated it would coordinate with international partners to engage the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), following recommendations to clarify claims regarding the possible use of chemical agents.
In parallel, opposition groups said they are working with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to facilitate international monitoring and potentially establish a country presence in Georgia.
They also reiterated support for referring the situation in Georgia to the International Criminal Court, citing allegations of political persecution, torture, and other inhumane acts.
“We will do everything to ensure accountability,” the statement said, adding that those responsible should face justice in international courts.
The Georgian government and ruling party officials have rejected the OSCE report, calling it unfounded and politically motivated.
The developments come amid growing international concern over democratic standards in Georgia and a noticeable deterioration in relations between Tbilisi and its Western partners, including the European Union.
Image: BM.ge
