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

P10_TA(2026)0083

PE782.989

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 Rules 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

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

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;

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;

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;

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

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;

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;

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;

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;

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.