Overview
- Prosecutors opened cases against eight figures, including jailed ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, on accusations of advocating regime change and aiding foreign powers.
- Charges cite sabotage, assisting hostile foreign interests and calls to overthrow the government, with prosecutors seeking prison terms of up to 15 years.
- Officials say three politicians shared information on Georgia’s economic and security ties with Russia to foreign governments to build a basis for sanctions.
- Six of those charged, including Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia and Zurab Japaridze, were already detained this summer for refusing to testify to a parliamentary commission.
- Ruling party Georgian Dream plans a Constitutional Court bid to dissolve Ahali/Coalition for Change, the United National Movement and Strong Georgia, with Strong Georgia denouncing the charges as politically motivated.