Georgia’s Public Defender, Levan Ioseliani, has questioned the severity of the 13-year prison sentence imposed on opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili after he was convicted of attempted terrorism.
In a social media post, Ioseliani compared Elisashvili’s sentence with prison terms previously handed to former officials, including Vano Merabishvili (6 years and 9 months), Zurab Adeishvili (6 years), Davit Kezerashvili (5 years), Bacho Akhalaia (9 years), Megis Kardava (9 years), and Gigi Ugulava (3 years and 2 months).
“Aleko – 13 years!” Ioseliani wrote.
Ioseliani and Elisashvili co-founded the Citizens party in 2020 and served together as members of parliament. Elisashvili later nominated Ioseliani for the post of Public Defender, to which he was elected by parliament in 2023.
Elisashvili was sentenced on July 10 after being found guilty of attempted terrorism over an attempt to set fire to the Tbilisi City Court building. Prosecutors argued that the act was planned and intended to obstruct the work of the judiciary, while the defense has maintained that Elisashvili’s admission of responsibility did not amount to acknowledging terrorist intent.
The case has sparked sharp political reactions. Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili has described the incident as an act of terrorism and urged the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) to distance itself from political forces associated with Elisashvili. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze also criticized both Lelo and ALDE for not condemning the politician following the verdict, accusing them of showing solidarity with terrorism.
Related story: Politician Aleko Elisashvili sentenced to 13 years in prison
