Tbilisi City Court has granted a motion by the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to freeze the bank accounts of several prominent non-governmental organizations, including the Civil Society Foundation, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), Defenders of Democracy, the Georgian Democratic Initiative (GDI), Safari, and the Social Justice Center.
The Prosecutor’s Office claims that the decision is linked to an ongoing investigation into alleged sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, collaboration with foreign-controlled organizations in hostile activities, and the mobilization of funds against Georgia’s constitutional order and national security.
The Prosecutor’s Office claims that protests in 2024 escalated into violent confrontations with police, during which demonstrators allegedly used pyrotechnics, Molotov cocktails, pepper spray, and incendiary substances. It said participants were equipped with protective gear—including gas masks, helmets, and batons—purchased with funds provided by the targeted NGOs.
Officials further allege that NGO leaders openly called for public disobedience and resistance, financed the defense and fines of protesters, and supported the families of those arrested. The Prosecutor’s Office argues that such activities went beyond the organizations’ charters and constituted coordinated efforts to weaken law enforcement.
On August 27, the court ordered the freezing of the NGOs’ accounts to prevent what prosecutors described as the “further misuse of funds.” Authorities said they will continue to update the public on the progress of the investigation.
