Imprisoned political figures in Georgia have dispatched a formal communication to British authorities expressing grave concerns about what they describe as deepening connections between the country’s governing party and Iran.
The correspondence, originating from a detention facility near Tbilisi, outlines what the signatories characterize as an extraordinary growth of Iranian involvement in Georgian affairs. The document urges the implementation of sanctions against individuals and entities allegedly facilitating these connections, including media proprietors operating from London who are accused of disseminating government-aligned content.
The communication references a television network identified as the nation’s most-watched broadcaster, which has faced international criticism for its perceived alignment with the administration. Network representatives have countered these claims, maintaining their editorial independence while acknowledging general support for the government.
Georgia’s political landscape has grown increasingly tense ahead of municipal elections, with numerous opposition figures currently detained. The ruling party, led by a prominent billionaire, faces accusations of steering the country toward authoritarian governance and strengthening ties with Moscow.
The detained politicians’ message details several instances they believe demonstrate growing Iranian engagement, including diplomatic expressions of solidarity with Tehran and high-level visits where Georgian officials reportedly appeared alongside representatives of Middle Eastern militant organizations.
According to the correspondence, Georgia currently holds more political detainees relative to its population than Russia, with hundreds of protest participants allegedly subjected to violent treatment during recent demonstrations. The document also references legislative measures that critics say mirror Russian practices and threaten civil society organizations.
British authorities have previously imposed sanctions on Georgian judicial and political figures, with recent measures targeting individuals accused of promoting pro-Russian narratives regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The imprisoned politicians acknowledge these actions while calling for expanded measures against what they describe as key enablers of the current administration.
The ruling party maintains its commitment to European and Atlantic partnerships, while simultaneously accusing Western powers of attempting to draw Georgia into regional conflicts. Government representatives have not responded to recent allegations regarding Iranian connections.
