Georgian opposition figure Gakharia shows no signs of re-entering Georgian politics

In a significant development for Georgian politics, Giorgi Gakharia, the former Prime Minister and current leader of the opposition For Georgia party, has announced that he does not plan to return to Georgia. Gakharia, who is currently residing in Germany with a residence permit, stated that his stay is not for the purpose of seeking employment, but a long-term visa allowing him to work for an extended period.

Gakharia's decision to remain abroad comes amidst investigations by the Georgian authorities under charges of sabotage. The commission, initially created to investigate alleged crimes committed by the United National Movement party, has expanded its mandate to investigate Georgia's opposition groups following Georgian Dream's rise to power in 2012. The commission is currently investigating Gakharia under charges of sabotage for installing a police checkpoint near South Ossetia in 2019.

Gakharia's appearance before the commission is unique among opposition politicians. He has agreed to appear before the parliamentary commission investigating alleged crimes, attending at least one session remotely. However, Gakharia warned that should he return to Georgia, his political activities would be restricted. This is in line with the statements made by Gakharia, who is currently in Europe, that his political activities would be restricted if he were in Tbilisi.

Gakharia's political activities are not limited to his appearances before the commission. He is preparing a project with expert circles, which will be announced soon. This project is part of Gakharia's ongoing efforts to challenge the Georgian Dream-led government and advocate for democratic reforms.

The opposition party "For Georgia" has been vocal in its criticism of the Georgian Dream government. Six major opposition leaders have already been detained and sentenced for failing to appear before the commission. This crackdown on opposition leaders has raised concerns about the state of democracy in Georgia.

Despite these challenges, Gakharia remains committed to his cause. His interview with opposition-aligned TV Pirveli underscores his dedication to the opposition movement. As Gakharia continues his work from abroad, the future of Georgian politics remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear: Gakharia's decision to remain in exile is a significant development that will shape the course of Georgian politics for years to come.