Georgian PM challenges critics to name prisoners they want freed, accusing them of ‘abetting violence’

“European officials calling for the release of Georgian prisoners must specify which individuals they want freed,” Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze told reporters today, warning that failing to do so exposes their reluctance to openly back violent offenders.

Dismissing claims that Georgia detains citizens for expressing political dissent, the head of government stressed that recent law enforcement operations have targeted severe criminal offences, illegal road blockades, and drug trafficking networks.

“Who exactly is sitting in prison for holding opposing views? Blocking roadways carries a financial fine first, followed at most by administrative detention, which is typically capped at two weeks. That has nothing to do with long-term prison sentences,” Kobakhidze challenged.

“Over the past eighteen months, we have had to arrest approximately 3,000 people who were directly involved in drug dealing. If your position is that we should release these individuals, fine, let us debate that, but it has absolutely nothing to do with democracy,” the Prime Minister continued.

On the latest EU report, the Prime Minister challenged Brussels to name the specific prisoners whose freedom it is demanding.

“What are they asking of us? Should we release someone who threw a Molotov cocktail, or someone who assaulted a police officer? They cannot give us names because they lack a credible list. Doing so would force them into the open as instigators of violence and arson. Instead, they prefer vague, sweeping statements, but that will not work. They ought to have the decency to name the individuals they want released. We remain ready for open dialogue, but it must be transparent, fact-based, and conducted before the public,” Kobakhidze stated.