Transparency International Georgia leader risks up to 15 years in prison on unfounded charges, as civil society comes under growing pressure.
Berlin – Transparency International is deeply alarmed by the escalating persecution of civil society organisations in Georgia. In the latest threat, Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, was summoned and questioned in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against the State, charges that could carry a sentence of up to 15 years.
Transparency International considers the accusations, which include sabotage, collusion with foreign powers, and financial crimes, unfounded and views them as an attempt to silence one of Georgia’s leading anti-corruption watchdogs. There is a real risk that interrogations will soon be followed by politically motivated prosecutions of civil society leaders, including Eka Gigauri. Transparency International Georgia has never engaged in activities that could remotely justify such claims. This is a clear case of selective justice, abuse of criminal process, and arbitrary law enforcement.
Such a step comes amid a broader crackdown on civil society. Transparency International Georgia is already under dual monitoring through the so-called “Foreign Agents Law” and the new Grants Law. These anti-democratic measures criminalise legitimate NGO activity and brand independent voices as foreign agents.
In recent months, the Georgian government has intensified its campaign against dissent through politically motivated prosecutions, media restrictions, freezing NGO bank accounts, and intrusive demands for internal data. In this latest wave of attacks, numerous NGOs, including Civil Society Foundation (CSF), the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) and others, have been targeted with frozen accounts and criminal investigations for alleged sabotage and state subversion. Many organisations are now subject to monitoring under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and the Grants Law by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Together, these actions reflect an authoritarian strategy to weaken civil society and dismantle democratic checks on power.
François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, said:
“The persecution of Transparency International Georgia is a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law. Civil society is essential to Georgia’s future, not a threat to its sovereignty. We urge the authorities to end their campaign of harassment. Georgia’s commitment to democracy will be judged by how it treats those who fight for accountability and integrity.”
Transparency International calls on the Georgian government to:
- End all harassment and intimidation of civil society.
- Uphold the rights to freedom of association, expression, and fair trial.
- Ensure judicial independence and respect international human rights obligations.
Source: https://www.transparency.org/en/press/transparency-international-faces-escalating-attacks-in-georgia
