Georgian politician Aleko Elisashvili sentenced to 13 years in prison
Georgian politician sentenced to 13 years in prison
Tbilisi City Court has sentenced Aleko Elisashvili, leader of the Citizens party, to 13 years in prison for attempting to set fire to the court administration building. Judge Giorgi Gelashvili delivered the verdict during a closed hearing after members of the media and the public had been ordered to leave the courtroom.
During the final stage of the trial, the defence presented its closing arguments, followed by Elisashvili’s final statement. He was then escorted out of the courtroom.
Defence lawyers asked the court to allow journalists back into the courtroom for the announcement of the verdict, but the judge rejected the request. As a result, the ruling was delivered entirely behind closed doors.
In his closing statement, Elisashvili said the outcome of the trial had been predetermined and questioned the independence of the court.
He argued that his lawyers’ efforts had been futile because, in his view, the decision had already been made. Referring to the events outside the court administration building in 2024, he said that despite what he described as police violence, no one had been held accountable. Elisashvili maintained that his actions were a political protest against the government rather than an attempt to harm anyone.
“I am here because I love my country. My conscience is clear before my country,” he said.
At the end of his statement, Elisashvili used profane language to denounce the authorities, expressed support for Ukraine and made an insulting remark about Russia.
The Elisashvili case
Aleko Elisashvili was arrested on 29 November 2025. Prosecutors charged him with terrorism, alleging that he had attempted to set fire to the administration building of Tbilisi City Court in the early hours of that day. According to the prosecution, forensic staff were injured during the incident.
He was charged with attempted terrorism, an offence carrying a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
The case, however, extends beyond a single incident. On 30 March 2026, prosecutors brought additional charges against Elisashvili, alleging that he had also attempted to set fire to the archives of Tbilisi City Court on 4 May 2025.
Georgian politician sentenced to 13 years in prison
