Opposition leader condemns ‘kidnappings, intimidation’ in Georgia, voices support for colleague

Khatia Dekanoidze, Deputy Chairperson of Georgia’s opposition Unity – National Movement, has condemned what she described as an atmosphere of fear and politically motivated coercion, declaring solidarity with party chairwoman Tina Bokuchava following claims over her husband. 

“No one is afraid of them, no one will ever back down, and my solidarity is with the woman – Tina, her family,” Dekanoidze said in a public address, referencing a video that circulated widely this week in which Bokuchava’s husband issued an apology to Uta Ivanishvili, son of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of the ruling Georgian Dream party. 

Dekanoidze said she was “shocked” by the video and suggested that such statements did not appear spontaneously. “People do not write apologies like this and do not speak of past events on a clear sky,” she said. “For me, it was a clear sign that something deeply wrong had occurred, and it broke my heart that many chose not to believe it.”

According to Bokuchava, the apology came under duress. She claimed it was preceded by the kidnapping of Kote Ioseliani and threats made against their family. 

Dekanoidze accused those affiliated with the Ivanishvili family of orchestrating such actions without facing consequences. “This is not normal – this is much worse. People are being kidnapped, and those serving the Ivanishvili family are doing it for nothing, with impunity,” she said.

She called on the public to reflect on the state of the country: “Everyone should think about where we live and where we are headed. And if local elections are not the solution, then we must think about what comes next.”