EU Officials Condemn Georgia's Democratic Backslide, Kobakhidze Dismisses Criticism
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, February 10, 2025
The European Union has strongly criticized recent actions by the Georgian Dream government, warning that they represent a significant departure from democratic standards. In a joint statement, European Commission High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos expressed deep concern over legislative changes and the treatment of journalists and political opponents in Georgia.
Kallas and Kos pointed to the rushed adoption of amendments to the Code on Administrative Offences, Criminal Code, and the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations, arguing that these changes will have "far-reaching effects on Georgian society" by undermining fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly, and media.
"These developments mark a serious setback for Georgia's democratic development and fall short of any expectations of an EU candidate country," the statement read. The EU officials urged the Georgian authorities to halt these measures, de-escalate tensions, and await the opinion of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), as requested by the Public Defender.
The EU statement also condemned the use of "intimidation tactics and violence" against peaceful protesters, journalists, and opposition politicians. One of the most alarming cases highlighted was that of journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, who is currently on hunger strike in detention. "Mzia, currently on hunger strike, is a symbol of courage of all those unjustly detained. Those responsible for the violence must be held accountable," the statement added.
The European Union called for the immediate release of all journalists, activists, and political detainees who have been unjustly imprisoned. The statement also urged the Georgian government to engage in dialogue with opposition forces and civil society representatives to restore trust.
In response, Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed the EU's criticism as a "blatant lie." He strongly rejected claims that Amaglobeli was detained for exercising free speech and accused European officials of fabricating misinformation.
"You heard one of the international responses yesterday, where it is said that a specific person is in prison for allegedly expressing free speech. You see how shameful lies are being fabricated, and this lie was fabricated at the highest level in the European Union," Kobakhidze stated.
He further asserted that Amaglobeli was detained for allegedly assaulting a police officer, not for journalistic activities. "Everyone should have a healthy reaction to this, and not the one expressed yesterday, for example, by the highest officials of the European Union, who fabricated a shameful lie and said that a journalist is in prison for expressing a free opinion. This is a shameful lie and we cannot have any reaction to such shameful lies."
