Georgia risks joining ranks of authoritarian states, warns Ex-Defence Minister

Tina Khidasheli, Georgia’s former Defence Minister and the head of the organization Civic Idea, on Monday warned that Georgia was on the path to becoming an authoritarian and dictatorial state, similar to Russia and Belarus.

“They [the current Government] are attempting to prevent international observation organizations from participating in election observation. The primary goal is to create a perception that will, in their view, eliminate doubts when the Central Election Commission denies international organizations the opportunity to act as election observers,” said Khidasheli.

“This is a very dangerous path, one that mirrors the road taken by Belarus. Georgia is on its way to joining the list of authoritarian, dictatorial countries. I sincerely hope that the repercussions against them will be swift,” she added.