Georgian law enforcement search homes of activists, NGO leaders amid pro-EU protests

Georgian law enforcement officers on Tuesday searched the homes of several civil society figures as part of an investigation into alleged sabotage and assistance in hostile activities amid ongoing protests in the country against the Georgian Dream Government’s decision late last year to halt the country’s EU integration until 2028.

Meriam Bajelidze, the co-founder of the movement Shame, said her mobile phone and other electronic devices had been seized during a search of her apartment.

She further described a tense encounter with plainclothes officers who initially, allegedly identified themselves as neighbours before revealing they were from the prosecutor’s office.

“They told me they could use proportional force,” said Bajelidze, who is pregnant and was at home with a small child at the time. “The goal was to take my phone away.”

A representative of the prosecutor’s office confirmed to reporters that the operation had been carried out under a court order but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

The same morning, authorities also searched the residences of television presenter and Nanuka Foundation founder Nanuka Zhorzholiani, and Aleko Tskitishvili, head of the Human Rights Center – a domestic non-governmental organisation.

The searches appear linked to a case launched in February at the request of the United Neutral Georgia, a political movement aligned with the ruling party. The investigation targets several charitable and activist organisations – including Shame, the Nanuka Foundation, and Tbilisi Human Rights House – accusing them of providing material support to demonstrators and paying fines for those detained.

Prosecutors claimed the actions had amounted to encouraging unlawful behaviour. “The organisational and financial activities of specific funds are aimed at providing material assistance to lawbreakers and their family members,” the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

Rights groups have condemned the investigation as politically motivated and part of a broader effort to stifle dissent. In recent months, the government has tightened restrictions on protests, banning face coverings and laser pointers at rallies, raising fines, and extending administrative detention from 15 to 60 days.