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Aleko Elisashvili Sentenced in Absentia by Russia Over Fighting in Ukraine
Georgian opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili, a member of the coalition "Lelo - Strong Georgia" [Citizens Party], has been sentenced to 6 years in prison in Russia. The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has released information about the verdict, which was handed down in absentia.
A case was opened against Aleko Elisashvili under Part 3 of Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (mercenary participation in an armed conflict).
The Russian prosecutor's office writes that in March 2022, Elisashvili fought in Ukraine as part of the "Georgian Legion", participating in military operations on the territory of Ukraine, including the battles for the city of Irpen, Kyiv region. In April 2022, he left the territory of Ukraine and returned to Georgia.
"It is a great honor that the Russians made such a decision because I supported the Ukrainian people, for this heroic, dedicated, selfless people, and on the other hand because I defended the national interests of Georgia," - this is how Aleko Elisashvili responded to Russia's decision to declare a wanted person for his arrest a few days ago.
Aleko Elisashvili left for Ukraine shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 to fight on the Ukrainian side. He wrote on Facebook on March 13 of the same year that he had gone to fight in Ukraine. Many Georgian citizens are still fighting in Ukraine. More than 60 have died.
Pro-Government Group Proposes Referendum on EU Membership Framed Around Anti-LGBT Rhetoric
The anti-Western movement Neutral Georgia, affiliated with the ruling party Georgian Dream, has called for a national referendum on EU membership to be held alongside the 2025 municipal elections. The group proposes a controversial question linking EU accession to the "promotion of LGBT propaganda and legalization of same-sex marriage."
In a lengthy statement, Neutral Georgia described EU membership as an illusion and a threat to Georgia's sovereignty, identity, and values. The group claims the government's continued pursuit of EU integration by 2030 is dangerous and misleading.
The proposed referendum follows the group's past efforts to target pro-European voices; it was Neutral Georgia's earlier appeal that led the Prosecutor General's Office to open a sabotage case against opposition parties and civil society organizations.
Neutral Georgia, which plans to become a political party, opposes Georgia's NATO and EU aspirations and advocates for a "neutral" foreign policy.
