International Community Condemns Arrest of Georgian Opposition Leader Zurab Japaridze
By Liza Mchedlidze
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
On May 22, Tbilisi City Court Judge Irakli Shvangiradze ordered the pre-trial detention of Zurab Japaridze, leader of the opposition party Girchi - More Freedom. This decision came after Japaridze refused to appear before a parliamentary commission investigating alleged abuses by the former United National Movement government. Japaridze has rejected the legitimacy of the parliament elected in October 2024. As he was taken into custody, he declared, "In the end, we will win."
The arrest sparked widespread international condemnation. Anna Lyberg, Sweden's Ambassador to Georgia, said, "Sweden is concerned by the developments in Georgia with growing pressure on the opposition including arrests of opposition leaders like Zurab Japaridze and adoption of repressive laws threatening democracy. These actions are not in line with EU values."
The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "We are deeply concerned by the detention of Zurab Japaridze. Democratic decline, along with repressive actions against civic society, including unfounded detentions, is the way to nowhere. Our solidarity with Zurab Japaridze."
Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called the detention "appalling and unjust," and said, "Congress should stand with the Georgian people in the face of the Georgian Dream government's crackdown on democratic institutions."
Dan Barna, MEP and Vice President of Renew Europe, said, "Zurab Japaridze has been arrested in a sham political trial. Democracy, freedom, and the rights of Georgian citizens are in danger. The pro-Russian government aims to destroy pro-European opposition parties and silence pro-European voices. Together with our European liberal family we support the call for his release."
Joe Wilson, Co-chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, said, "The anti-American Georgian Dream regime has wrongly arrested Zurab Japaridze and is creating a precedent to jail all opposition."
Rasa Jukneviciene, MEP, said, "The GD regime's brutality keeps escalating. Zurab Japaridze has been jailed. The EU and Member States must sanction Bidzina Ivanishvili and his cronies now."
Petras Austrevicius, MEP, described the detention as "one more shameful example of political persecution."
Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Estonian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, said, "Georgia's dictatorship committed yet another crime against justice, democracy, and the rule of law. Free all political prisoners in Georgia."
Yevheniia Kravchuk, Vice President of the ALDE Party, said, "His detention is a blatant attack on democracy and a sign of authoritarian backsliding. Ukraine stands in full solidarity with Georgia."
Nathalie Loiseau, MEP, asked, "Is Georgia becoming the new Belarus? What are we doing?"
The ALDE Party, Liberal International, and ALDE PACE issued a joint statement condemning the imprisonment, calling the trial a "sham," and urging the Georgian Dream government to release Japaridze and respect international law.
James MacCleary, British MP, said, "Georgia continues down its slippery slope of political repression. Japaridze must be released now. UK sanctions should follow."
The British Embassy in Tbilisi expressed deep concern, calling the detention "wholly disproportionate" and evidence of "serious democratic decline."
The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Georgia to uphold democratic values and respect fundamental rights.
Lithuanian MP Zygimantas Pavilionis warned that Georgia is showing "loyalty to Russia" and moving away from EU and NATO integration.
Norwegian Ambassador Bergljot Hovland said, "Georgia stands at a troubling crossroads" following the crackdown on opposition leaders.
