Activist Sandro Kinkladze leaves Georgia citing safety concerns

Sandro Kinkladze, a young activist and participant in pro-European protests in Georgia, has left the country with his wife, citing security concerns. He announced his decision in a lengthy social media post, accompanied by a photo showing their Georgian passports and plane tickets.

In his post, Kinkladze explained that despite being arrested in December 2024, he continued working at a restaurant during the day and protesting on Rustaveli Avenue at night. However, he claims that authorities began monitoring him and his family, which ultimately led him to flee the country.

“They started following my wife, Elene, everywhere she went. Then they began watching my mother. Eventually, they sent me a photo of my mother on her way to work. Later, I was confronted by two tinted ‘Skoda’ cars, and armed individuals escorted me out of my neighborhood. After enduring intense pressure and stress following my imprisonment, I decided to leave the country with my wife in search of a peaceful and just environment where I won’t have to fear being arrested or killed,” Kinkladze wrote.

He expressed hope that the situation in Georgia would improve but admitted that he could no longer take part in the ongoing struggle. “I’m sorry for leaving you in this fight…I hope you understand,” he wrote.

Sandro Kinkladze was arrested on the night of December 8, 2024, in Varketili after leaving a friend’s house. He was charged under Article 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code for disobedience to a police order. On December 9, Judge Nino Enukidze sentenced the 18-year-old activist to the maximum penalty—12 days of imprisonment.