What changed

on Case of Elene Khoshtaria and Political Prisoners under the Georgian Dream Regime

P10_TA(2026)0083

B100161/2026

Case of Elene Khoshtaria and political prisoners under the Georgian Dream regime

European Parliament resolution on Case of Elene Khoshtaria and Political Prisoners under the Georgian Dream Regime

PE782.989

(2026/2643(RSP))

European Parliament resolution of 12 March 2026 on the case of Elene Khoshtaria and political prisoners under the Georgian Dream Regime (2026/2643(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

– having regard to RuleRules 150150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Elene Khoshtaria is the leader of the opposition Droa party and was detained on 15 September after she wrote protest messages on Georgian Dream campaign banners; whereas Khoshtaria was charged for sabotage, providing material resources for sabotage, and aiding a foreign country in hostile activities, with each charge carrying a sentence ranging from 2 to 15 years in prison;

A. whereas the Georgian authorities have escalated their repression of political opposition and civil society, particularly since the October 2024 parliamentary elections;

whereas Khoshtaria’s case is part of a broader crackdown against political opposition, as eight prominent politicians are currently behind bars on politically motivated charges, either awaiting trial or already serving prison sentences;

B. whereas draconian legislation, including the ‘Foreign Agents Registration Act’, the law on transparency of foreign influence, and amendments to the law on grants, the law on political association and the criminal code, reflects a deliberate authoritarian strategy to silence dissent, mirroring Russian-style repression;

whereas Georgian Dream is tightening its grip on society through wide-spread repression and is pushing legislative changes through its de facto single party parliament, clearly aiming to achieve a one-party system; whereas only a few EU Member States have imposed targeted sanctions on those responsible for this hijacking of Georgia’s democracy;

C. whereas hundreds have been detained, fined or prosecuted since the protests began, including politicians, journalists and activists, many of whom are in pre-trial detention; whereas dozens have been imprisoned following participation in the protests;

Condemns the illegal arrest and politically motivated prosecution of Elene Khoshtaria and calls for her immediate and unconditional release; urges the Georgian authorities to halt its harassment of peaceful protesters and release all political prisoners and others illegally detained, including Sakharov prize laureate Mzia Amoghlobeli, without delay;

D. whereas several opposition leaders have been detained, including Elene Khoshtaria, a leading Coalition for Change figure, who was detained in September 2025 after writing ‘Russian Dream’ on an election banner of the ruling party, and faces criminal proceedings based on trumped-up charges without credible evidence, carrying up to 15 years’ imprisonment; whereas reports indicate that Khoshtaria has been subjected to degrading treatment in detention and that her health condition requires specialised medical care;

Condemns credible reports of excessive use of force, torture and ill-treatment of protesters and detainees, including reports on the use of toxic chemical; calls on the Georgian authorities to ensure prompt, independent and effective investigations, and prosecute all those responsible;

E. whereas another prisoner of conscience, Mzia Amaglobeli, was awarded the Sakharov Prize in 2025;

Urges the Georgian authorities to withdraw legal amendments that will criminalise the questioning of the government’s legitimacy and rob individuals with professional experience in civil society from their political rights; deplores the constitutional lawsuit filed by members of the Georgian Parliament requesting that the activities of three major opposition parties be declared unconstitutional and that their registration be revoked;

1. Strongly condemns the politically motivated detention of Khoshtaria and all others targeted for exercising their freedom of expression and assembly or peaceful dissent, and the systematic persecution of political opponents, journalists and activists by the Georgian Dream regime;

Regrets the persistent lack of action on behalf of the EU and most Member States to ensure tangible consequences for Georgian Dream’s attacks on Georgia’s democracy; urges the Council to finally overcome the blockade by Hungary and Slovakia of EU-wide targeted sanctions against Ivanishvili and the broader Georgian Dream leadership; calls on all Member States to, until then, impose bilateral sanctions without delay;

2. Condemns the degrading and inhuman treatment reportedly inflicted on Khoshtaria during detention; demands her immediate and unconditional release, and that of others detained for politically motivated reasons or for the peaceful exercise of their fundamental rights; calls for the immediate withdrawal of politically motivated charges against them;

Takes note of President von der Leyen’s letter last month where she hinted at a possible suspension of the visa free regime for the entire Georgian population; expresses discontent that this measure would negatively impact all Georgians, including those who may need to flee persecution; insists that this measure should only be taken as a last resort;

3. Expresses deep concern over the continued detention and deteriorating health condition of former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who for more than four years has effectively been held as a political hostage of the oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili;

Expresses concern about the extent to which the EU’s plans within the Black Sea Strategy will entail a normalisation of relations with the Georgian authorities;

4. Demands an independent and transparent investigation into allegations of ill-treatment in custody and the abuse of national security legislation, and credible reports regarding the use of chemical weapons against protestors;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and to the Georgian authorities.

5. Expresses serious concern over the expanding political, economic and security footprint of Russia, China and Iran in Georgia, as confirmed in numerous reports, and which is also reflected in the country’s deteriorating approach to human rights; expresses outrage that investigations have been launched against the authors of such reports, most notably Hudson Institute research author Giorgi Kandelaki, and Tinatin Khidasheli, instead of addressing their alarming findings about the clear and systematic expansion of the influence of authoritarian powers in the country; calls on the Georgian authorities to restore freedom of expression, academic freedom and independent research;

6. Strongly condemns the continued adoption of restrictive legislation curtailing fundamental freedoms and suppressing political activity, civic protests and dissent; urges the Georgian authorities to repeal these restrictive laws, cease using pre-trial detention for political repression, and ensure judicial independence and due process;

7. Stresses that the existence of political prisoners is incompatible with Georgia’s obligations under the EU-Georgia Association Agreement;

8. Reaffirms its unwavering support for the Georgian people and their commitment to a democratic European future; encourages the Commission and the Member States to support and provide protection to Georgian activists, journalists and opposition figures at risk;

9. Calls for the EU and the Member States to impose targeted sanctions, as well as an EU-wide visa ban, on representatives of the regime and its enablers responsible for politically motivated arrests, prosecutions and violence against the democratic opposition, dissidents, protesters and journalists;

10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE and to the Georgian authorities.