Georgian opposition leader sentenced to 13 years in prison

A court in Georgia has sentenced opposition politician Aleko Elisashvili, one of the leaders of the Strong Georgia coalition, to 13 years in prison on terrorism-related charges.

Elisashvili was arrested on November 29, 2025, after authorities accused him of attempting to set fire to the Tbilisi City Court building, Caliber.Az reports per Georgian media. 

According to prosecutors, Elisashvili threw a bottle containing a flammable mixture through a rear window of the courthouse on May 4, 2025. Investigators said the fire targeted an area where archives containing criminal, civil, and administrative case files were stored, damaging a window frame and electrical wiring.

Elisashvili has been in pretrial detention since late November 2025, following his arrest over an attempt to set fire to the Tbilisi City Court chancellery. Authorities initially said the case was being investigated under Article 19-187 of the Criminal Code, which covers attempted damage or destruction of property. However, on November 30, the Prosecutor’s Office said Elisashvili was charged under Article 19-323, which covers attempted acts of terrorism.

In March 2026, prosecutors brought new charges against Elisashvili, accusing him of terrorism in connection with a separate incident in May 2025, alleging that he set fire to the Tbilisi City Court archive. He was charged under Article 187 of Georgia’s Criminal Code.

The Strong Georgia coalition is one of the country's main opposition political alliances. It was formed in 2024 ahead of Georgia's parliamentary elections.

By Sabina Mammadli