Georgian opposition figure arrested over alleged arson attempt at Tbilisi court

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Georgian authorities detained a prominent opposition figure Saturday on suspicion of trying to set fire to the Tbilisi City Court office building, the Interior Ministry said.

Alexander Elisashvili, also known as Aleko, broke into the court chancellery building in the Georgian capital at dawn by smashing a window with a hammer, then poured gasoline on the perimeter of the office, the ministry said in a Facebook statement.

The 47-year-old, who founded the Citizens party and was formerly an opposition lawmaker, had a firearm and injured a court official during his arrest, according to the ministry.

Video released by authorities appeared to show a handgun on the ground, a bottle of gasoline, a lighter and shattered glass. Footage also showed Elisashvili with visible bruises under his eyes. The Associated Press couldn't independently verify the footage.

Elisashvili's lawyer, Giorgi Kevkhishvili, said that the politician "has serious injuries on his face. He has been severely beaten.”

The Citizens party, which belongs to the Lelo-Strong Georgia coalition, is one of three main opposition groups in the country.

Georgian authorities have intensified pressure on opposition parties. The governing Georgian Dream party has petitioned the Constitutional Court to ban the three main opposition groups — the United National Movement, Akhali/Coalition for Change and Lelo.

Several opposition leaders are jailed, in exile or facing criminal charges, which opponents say are politically motivated.

Lelo in a statement Saturday called Elisashvili's actions “unacceptable and indefensible.” "Aleko Elisashvili has repeatedly been the victim of injustice and violence at the hands of the regime, and his confession is proof that this is a selfless act of one man against the regime,” the statement said.

Elisashvili’s arrest came the day after crowds of demonstrators gathered in Tbilisi on Friday to mark 365 days of nonstop protests against the government’s decision to halt talks on joining the European Union.

Carrying drums, whistles, placards and flags, thousands of protesters marched along Rustaveli Avenue, the city’s central thoroughfare.

The daily protests began on Nov. 28, 2024, when Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced the country was halting talks on joining the EU.

While the size of the rallies has since fallen, demonstrators have continued to gather each day.

The Georgian Dream party has tried to curb the movement by tightening rules on public assemblies, as well as passing a wave of laws targeting rights groups, nongovernmental organizations and independent media.

Critics say some have been modeled on legislation passed in Russia, where President Vladimir Putin has harshly stifled dissent.