The regime is moving to a new level – this is no longer political persecution, this is full-scale repression! – This is how Vakhushti Menabde, a member of the Social Democracy movement, assesses the decision to seize the bank accounts of non-governmental organizations.
Menabde explains on social networks that this is neither the law of “agents”, nor “grants”, nor “FARA”, the investigation is proceeding with at least three of the most serious articles, and these are the articles of treason.
“What does the prosecutor’s statement tell us?
This is neither the law on agents nor grants, nor FARA, these are articles of treason. At least, the investigation is underway under the three most severe articles
Do you know what this means? The sentences are 7-15 years, 15-20 years, 10-20 years, life imprisonment.
What are these articles:
Sabotage (Article 318) – obstructing the normal functioning of the state with the aim of weakening Georgia (2-4 years); damaging a building, equipment, or a special-purpose facility with the same aim (5-10 years); the same action committed by explosion, arson, which caused harm to human health (10-20 years, life imprisonment).
Assistance to a foreign organization or an organization under foreign control in hostile activities (Article 319) – such assistance, the purpose of which is to violate the state interests of Georgia, if there is no signs of actions provided for in Article 318 (7-15 years).
Financing activities directed against the constitutional order and foundations of national security of Georgia or other material support for such activities (Article 321 Prima): collection of material resources with the knowledge that they can be used to commit any of the crimes provided for in [Articles 318 and 319] (6-10 years); the same action if committed by an organized group or repeatedly (10-15 years); if this action resulted in serious consequences (15-20 years).
If we see what actions the Prosecutor’s Office accuses the representatives of these 7 organizations of, we will see that we are talking about the most serious elements of the articles listed above.
In a public statement, the Prosecutor’s Office writes that these organizations:
– called on the public to disobey and resist;
– provided financial protection for individuals involved in violent actions and their family members;
– used the funds to purchase special equipment.
It seems that the regime is moving to a new level and this is no longer political persecution, this is already full-scale repression,” – Vakhushti Menabde writes on the social network.
For information, the Prosecutor’s Office’s motion to seize the bank accounts of the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy, Institute for Development of Freedom of Information, Guardians of Democracy, Georgian Democratic Initiative, Sapari and Social Justice Center has been granted. The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia issued a corresponding statement.
The case concerns an investigation ongoing in the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia into the facts of sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, assistance to a foreign organization or an organization under foreign control in hostile activities, and mobilization of funds for activities directed against the constitutional order and foundations of national security of Georgia.
Vakhushti Menabde on seizure of accounts of 7 NGOs: The regime is moving to a new level – this is no longer political persecution, this is already full-scale repression!
