According to Irakli Pavlenishvili, Deputy Secretary General of the “United National Movement,” the freezing of the bank accounts of non-governmental organizations is yet another repressive measure taken against the third sector.
As Pavlenishvili told journalists, non-governmental organizations have never funded violence.
“Another repressive measure has been taken against non-governmental organizations. It can be emphatically stated that NGOs have never funded violence. Any expenditure is acceptable when it concerns civil and political rights, freedom of expression, or saving people’s health and lives, which is, of course, acceptable and necessary. Apparently, those who were protecting themselves from such violence are now labeled as ‘violent’,” Pavlenishvili stated.
For reference, the Tbilisi City Court granted the prosecution’s motion to freeze the bank accounts of seven non-governmental organizations: the Civil Society Foundation, the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), Defenders of Democracy, Georgia’s Democratic Initiative (GDI), Safary, and the Social Justice Center.
According to the statement issued by the Prosecutor’s Office, the case concerns an ongoing investigation into allegations of sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, aiding hostile activities by a foreign organization or an organization under foreign control, and mobilizing finances for activities aimed against Georgia’s constitutional order and national security.
Irakli Pavlenishvili: Violence has never been funded by non-governmental organizations – any expenditure is acceptable when it comes to preserving freedom of expression
