On the case of Elene Khoshtaria and political prisoners under the Georgian Dream Regime.

B100174/2026

European Parliament resolution on the case of Elene Khoshtaria and other Political Prisoners under the Georgian Dream Regime.

(2026/2643(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on Georgia,

having regard to Georgia’s EU candidate country status,

having regard to Rule 150 (5) of its Rules of Procedure,

whereas Georgia holds the status of an EU candidate country, but accession negotiations remain effectively suspended due to serious democratic backsliding under Georgian Dream rule and its alignment with Russia;

whereas China’s and Iran’s influence in Georgia is growing; whereas representatives of the ruling party have targeted those who investigate these adverse foreign influences;

whereas the Georgian Dream government has introduced legislation restricting fundamental freedoms, eroding democratic institutions;

whereas these developments are against the clearly expressed will of the Georgian people of pursuing a transatlantic and European path;

whereas there are reports from Georgia regarding the potential use of chemical weapons against peaceful protesters;

whereas opposition figures, civil society representatives and journalists have been politically persecuted and arrested, including opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria, and journalist and Sakharov prize laureate Mzia Amaglobeli;

whereas former President Mikheil Saakashvili has been detained since 2021, raising international concerns about the fairness of proceedings against him;

whereas civil society organisations report that up to 150 individuals are currently imprisoned on politically motivated charges in Georgia;

whereas the prosecution of opposition and activists discourages political participation, protest and any criticism of government, thus creating a climate of intimidation;

whereas reports indicate that Georgia has increasingly been used for circumventing sanctions, benefiting Russia;

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Expresses its deepest regret that recent developments under the Georgian Dream rule distance Georgia from democracy and its stated objective of joining the European community; stresses that progress on Georgia’s European path requires a reversal of democratic backsliding and restoration of fundamental freedoms and democratic standards;

Notes the continuous peaceful protests across Georgia, reflecting the clear will of the Georgian society to defend democracy and the country’s European and transatlantic path; strongly condemns the use of force and intimidation of protesters and political opponents, including opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria, who has been imprisoned for her participation in peaceful demonstrations in opposition to the Georgian Dream;

Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Georgia, including Mikheil Saakashvili, Mzia Amaglobeli and other detained opposition figures;

Urges the Georgian authorities to restore democracy by ensuring political pluralism, judicial independence and the fundamental freedoms of expression and political participation;

Reiterates its position that the European Union should refrain from providing financial support that could benefit Georgian Dream apparatchiks responsible for democratic backsliding, while continuing to support the Georgian civil society and democratic institutions;

Calls on the Council and the Member States to impose targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for violence against peaceful protesters and opposition persecution;

Calls on the EU Delegation in Tbilisi to further monitor the situation of political prisoners, democracy and human rights in Georgia;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Government and Parliament of Georgia.