Prosecutor General’s Office details formal treason, sabotage charges against detained UNM leader Giorgi Baramidze

Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has arrested Giorgi Baramidze, one of the leaders of the opposition United National Movement party, on charges of treason, specifically sabotage, based on a court ruling, Deputy Prosecutor General Amiran Guluashvili said on Friday.

The arrest follows an investigation launched last month by the Prosecutor General’s Office, triggered by remarks made by Baramidze regarding the Abkhazia conflict and the prisoner exchange process.

At a briefing at the Prosecutor General’s Office, Guluashvili noted Baramidze claimed that, during the initial stage of the 1992–1993 armed conflict in Abkhazia, representatives of the Georgian armed forces did not take prisoners of war but instead executed them on the spot.

“The information disseminated by Giorgi Baramidze is unfounded and fabricated, carries a deliberate ideological and informational character, and serves to undermine Georgia’s state and national interests, external security, defense capabilities, and state institutions. As is known to the public, in July of this year, on Iago Khvichia’s program The Birth of Georgia, Giorgi Baramidze stated that at the initial stage of the 1992–1993 armed conflict in Abkhazia, representatives of the Georgian armed forces did not take prisoners of war and instead executed them on the spot, thereby accusing the Georgian armed forces of violating international humanitarian law and committing serious war crimes”, he said.

He further characterised the information disseminated by Baramidze as unfounded and fabricated.

“The investigation conducted by the Prosecutor General’s Office of Georgia unequivocally ruled out any instances of executions of prisoners by representatives of the Georgian armed forces or other participants in the armed conflict. This had already been known to the public and the international community and had never been a subject of discussion. The information disseminated by Giorgi Baramidze is unfounded and fabricated, carries a deliberate ideological and informational character, and serves to undermine Georgia’s state and national interests, external security, defence capabilities, and state institutions”, Guluashvili noted.

The Prosecutor’s Office also said the statements harmed Georgia’s international reputation and created legal and political risks related to potential information campaigns and legal proceedings against Georgia in international organisations.

“Giorgi Baramidze’s statement damaged Georgia’s international authority and image and also created legal and political risks for the strengthening and use of information campaigns and legal procedures directed against Georgia in international bodies. His statement damaged the reputation of Georgia’s Defence Forces and dishonoured the dignity and honour of veterans of the Abkhazia war and deceased military personnel”, he stressed.

“At the same time, Giorgi Baramidze’s actions posed a threat to the process of reconciliation and confidence-building with conflict-affected populations, damaged Georgia’s peace and de-occupation policy, and hindered the normal functioning of state agencies, including the activities of the Office of the State Minister for Reconciliation and Civic Equality and the effective functioning of mechanisms established by the Office for confidence-building and cooperation”, Guluashvili continued.

Based on the investigation and evidence obtained, the Prosecutor General’s Office said Baramidze would be charged with treason, specifically sabotage.

“As a result of the investigation and based on the evidence obtained, Giorgi Baramidze will be charged with treason, specifically sabotage, which carries a sentence of up to four years of imprisonment. Within the timeframe established by law, the Prosecutor’s Office will apply to the court requesting the use of detention as a preventive measure against the accused. The investigation into the case is ongoing, and we will provide the public with additional information regarding its progress and results”, Guluashvili concluded.

The investigation was opened after the State Service for Veterans’ Affairs called on relevant law enforcement authorities to examine Baramidze’s statements within the scope of their legal authority and take appropriate action if necessary.

The probe is being conducted under Articles 307 and 318 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concern treason and actions that create a threat to Georgia’s state interests.