Tbilisi, Georgia – A Georgian university lecturer, Gia Japaridze, found himself in a perilous situation when unknown individuals began threatening his life following his involvement in opposition activities. Japaridze, who had been advocating against a controversial “foreign influence” law targeting rights groups and the media, was brutally attacked outside his home in Tbilisi after meeting with foreign ambassadors to discuss sanctions against the ruling party.
Describing the attack, Japaridze recounted feeling blows from multiple directions and being beaten with heavy sticks, fearing for his life. The introduction of the “foreign influence” bill in Georgia led to a series of violent incidents targeting activists, independent journalists, and politicians critical of the legislation. While the ruling party, Georgian Dream, denies orchestrating the attacks, accusations of intimidation tactics aimed at silencing government critics have surfaced.
The wave of violence in Georgia has not spared public figures like Levan Khabeishvili, chair of the main opposition party, who was violently assaulted by police during protests against the new law. The escalation of force and aggression has left many, including Japaridze, alarmed about the unchecked targeting of dissenting voices in the country. Calls for accountability and justice have been met with skepticism, with concerns rising about a potential increase in political violence and misconduct.
Georgia’s Special Investigation Service initiated a criminal probe into allegations of excessive force used against protesters, promising transparency in the investigation. However, the lack of accountability and growing reports of police abuses have sparked fears of a worsening situation. As the political climate in Georgia remains tense and fraught with violence, the future of dissent and opposition activism hangs in the balance, with activists, journalists, and politicians grappling with the looming threats to their safety and freedom of expression.