Georgia marks 200 days of protests as government crackdown against dissent continues

June 19, 2025

Georgia is experiencing intensifying protests and government crackdowns 200 days after the ruling Georgian Dream party suspended EU accession talks. The government has responded with sweeping legal changes including a Foreign Agents law, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and media restrictions, while arresting opposition leaders and protesters. Recent developments include the imprisonment of several political figures, including Ahali party leader Nika Gvaramia and 21-year-old protester Mate Devidze, who received a four-and-a-half-year sentence.

Who is affected

Georgian protesters, hundreds of whom have been arrested
Opposition political leaders (Nika Gvaramia, Nika Melia, Irakli Okruashvili, Zurab Girchi Japaridze)
Non-governmental organizations and media outlets receiving foreign funding
LGBTQ+ individuals whose rights have been curtailed
Public servants (approximately 700 dismissed by April)
Journalists facing violence and imprisonment
Online critics of the government being targeted
General Georgian citizens experiencing reduced democratic freedoms

What action is being taken

Ongoing protests across the country demanding release of arrested protesters, new elections, and government resignation
Government arresting opposition leaders and protesters
Authorities implementing the Foreign Agents law requiring registration of organizations with foreign funding
Government levying fines against opposition-aligned TV channels (Formula, Mtavari, TV Pirveli)
Human rights groups documenting arrests and rights violations
Authorities dismissing public servants allegedly for political reasons
Government requiring NGOs to obtain consent before accepting foreign grants
Authorities enforcing increased penalties and fines for protest-related activities

Why it matters

The situation represents a significant democratic backslide in Georgia, with the country being reclassified as an "electoral autocracy" by the V-Dem Institute. The government's actions have severely deteriorated Georgia's international standing in freedom indexes, particularly in press freedom where it's now categorized as "difficult" due to increased violence against journalists. The ongoing legal changes threaten civil society, media independence, and democratic processes by expanding state powers while restricting protests, LGBTQ+ rights, and NGO operations. This dramatic shift away from democratic norms has halted Georgia's European Union accession process.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices