Some elections will never be ‘democratic’ enough for the West
RTNOV 2024
Georgia Jails Four Opposition Leaders For Refusing to Testify
Above: Mamuka Khazaradze in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Nov. 4, 2024. Image copyright: Canaud/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-government narrative
These investigations into sabotage and foreign interference are legally justified responses to protect national security. Western criticism appears motivated by disappointment over critics' preferred candidates' defeat rather than legitimate concerns about democracy. The West continues to cry wolf while Georgian Dreams serves the peoples' best interests.
Opposition narrative
These arrests represent a dangerous assault on Georgia's democracy. Clearly politically motivated, the attacks target those who challenged the disputed election results. International observers documented significant irregularities in the October vote. Silencing dissent through imprisonment undermines democratic principles and threatens Georgia's European aspirations.