Prepared by Messenger Staff
Vice Speaker Volski Rejects MEGOBARI Act as Unfair and Politically Motivated
Vice Speaker of the Georgian Dream Parliament Gia Volski criticized the MEGOBARI Act, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, calling it unfair and harmful to both Georgia and broader international relations. Speaking to journalists, Volski said the bill was based on misrepresentations of Georgia's internal and foreign policies.
"We are a small country, we act in our own interests, and we do not deserve any punishment, including the one that is reflected in this MEGOBARI Act," Volski said. "We do not expect this act to be finally approved."
The MEGOBARI Act, introduced by Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, seeks to deepen U.S.-Georgia ties but also authorizes sanctions on individuals deemed responsible for undermining democratic processes in Georgia. It passed the U.S. House with bipartisan support on May 5, 2025, and awaits consideration in the Senate.
Volski argued there is no justification for the legislation, insisting that Georgia has not engaged in any actions that would warrant such measures. "This degree of injustice, which is expressed in this act, is harmful not only to Georgian society but to society in general," he said. "It damages global processes by fostering uncertainty and blocking the development of positive relations, especially between countries."
He also pushed back on criticism of Georgia's foreign relations, particularly with China and Iran. "Developing relations with China is considered a crime, while America and the European Union conduct much larger negotiations and trade with China," he said.
Volski claimed the government's decision not to involve Georgia in past military conflicts had also been unfairly politicized. "The fact that we did not engage in war at the request of the previous administration should not be a reason to cast a shadow on Georgia's interests," he said.
He went on to accuse domestic critics of supporting the act for political reasons. "The trouble is that people who call themselves Georgians, including through their disinformation outlets, will be happy if Georgia has any problems, including in its relations with America," he said.
Volski expressed confidence that the MEGOBARI Act would not advance further, especially under the current U.S. administration.
Tbilisi Court Denies Motions to Release Protest Detainees, Keeps All 11 in Custody
Tbilisi City Court Judge Nino Galustashvili has denied all motions filed by defense attorneys to revoke or modify the pre-trial detention of 11 individuals arrested during recent protests near the Georgian Parliament. All defendants will remain in custody pending trial.
At the court session held on July 31, defense lawyers submitted individual motions requesting that their clients be released or that detention be replaced with bail. Only one lawyer, representing actor Andro Chichinadze, asked the court to release his client without bail, stating that Chichinadze should not be required to remain in the defendant's seat at all.
The defense argued that there was no direct evidence linking the accused to group violence. They said the main piece of evidence, the testimony of chief investigator Arsen Khunashvili , fails to establish any direct connection between the defendants and the organizers of the protest. According to the lawyers, Khunashvili himself confirmed that the defendants had no clear ties to each other or to the alleged planning of violent acts.
After hearing the motions, Judge Galustashvili announced a short recess. Upon returning, she delivered her decision, stating that all motions were denied and all 11 individuals would remain in pre-trial detention.
The defendants Andro Chichinadze, Onise Tskhadadze, Jano Archaia, Ruslan Sivakov, Luka Jabua, Guram Mirtskhulava, Valeri Tetrashvili, Giorgi Terishvili, Irakli Kerashvili, Revaz Kiknadze, and Sergey Kukharchuk were arrested on charges of participating in group violence during protests outside Parliament.
They have been charged under Part 2 of Article 225 of Georgia's Criminal Code, which covers participation in group violence. If convicted, they face between four and six years in prison.
