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Incident type: Summoning of Activists for "Interviews" or Interrogations

The State Security Service summoned human rights defender Ucha Nanuashvili for questioning

On 17 March, human rights defender Ucha Nanuashvili wrote on social media that he had been summoned for questioning at the State Security Service. According to him, the summons is related to his communication with an expert operating under the OSCE“Moscow Mechanism”.

Nanuashvili stated that an investigator from the State Security Service contacted him following a statement he made on television. In this context, “POSTV Analitika” disseminated a video on social media claiming that Ucha Nanuashvili had allegedly coordinated the report prepared under the Moscow Mechanism. Nanuashvili himself notes that this circumstance became the basis for summoning him for questioning.

Attention was also drawn to this issue during a briefing held by Irakli Kobakhidze on 16 March. In the context of the video disseminated by “POSTV”, a journalist from the pro-government channel “Rustavi 2” asked Irakli Kobakhidze about the possible role of Ucha Nanuashvili and inquired how noteworthy he considered this information. In response, Kobakhidze stated that “it would not be surprising for agents to be in coordination, and this is also evident from the published text; of course, there would have been full coordination with local agents.” Against the backdrop of these developments, Ucha Nanuashvili was summoned for questioning at the State Security Service the following day.

On 18 March, Ucha Nanuashvili was questioned before a magistrate judge. According to Nanuashvili, he provided the OSCE expert with information on the situation in the country and on human rights reports, which, in his assessment, constitutes an attempt to intimidate civil society in order to restrict future communication with international organisations. He further stated that the State itself had an obligation to cooperate with the expert, while paragraph 6 of the “Moscow Mechanism” requires participating States to refrain from any actions against individuals cooperating with the expert — a requirement which, according to Nanuashvili, has been violated.

The case is linked to the report prepared under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, which was published on 12 March. The report provides a detailed account of the situation in Georgia since 2024, including democratic backsliding, the deterioration of human rights, and the persecution and repression of protest participants and the opposition. The “Moscow Mechanism” was invoked on 29 January by 24 OSCE participating States, leading to the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission, which prepared the report within a limited timeframe.

Following Public Statements and Research on Iranian Influence, State Security Service Calls Individuals in for Questioning

Following public statements and the publication of two critical reports concerning potential Iranian influence in Georgia, the State Security Service of Georgia (SSG) called several individuals in for questioning in connection with an investigation opened under Article 319 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The investigation concerns potential assistance to a foreign state, foreign organization, or an entity under foreign control in activities directed against the interests of the state.

As part of the investigation, opposition politician and historian Gubaz Sanikidze was interviewed before a magistrate judge on 7 March. On 8 March, former Minister of Defence and head of Civic Idea Tina Khidasheli, as well as co-author of a report by the Hudson Institute and project manager at the Laboratory for the Study of the Soviet Past, Giorgi Kandelaki, were interviewed at the Tbilisi City Court. During the same period, former Chief of the General Staff, Major General Vakhtang Kapanadze, was also called in for questioning and interviewed as a witness by the SSG. Former Member of Parliament Givi Targamadze was likewise called in; he stated that he is currently outside Georgia and will provide written responses or respond upon his return.

The questioning related to public statements made in televised broadcasts and to research concerning Iran. On 3 March, the Hudson Institute published a report asserting that the Islamic Republic of Iran is “systematically and in an organized manner” expanding its influence in Georgia. The report highlights several areas of concern, including developments in the Kvemo Kartli region and an educational institution operating in Gardabani without proper authorization. The issue of Iranian influence is also addressed in a report by Civic Idea, which examines the import of Iranian oil and petroleum products into Georgia and the potential links of companies involved in this activity.

Following the publication of these reports and related public statements, on 5 and 6 March, the Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of Georgian Dream, Kakha Kaladze, publicly criticized Tina Khidasheli and Giorgi Kandelaki. He characterized their statements and research as “hostile activity against the country” and stated that “the relevant authorities should take an interest.” According to Kaladze, such statements undermine relations between Georgia and the United States.