Japaridze, a leader of the largest opposition party, was placed in pre-trial detention last Thursday (May 22). The Georgian Dream-led government has been clamping down on dissent after a wave of protests that started last year.

Ambassador to Georgia Marge Mardisalu-Kahar wrote on social media that Estonia condemned the move.

"Repressive laws and actions against the opposition in Georgia are in stark contrast with European values. Another dark hour for democracy in [Georgia]," she wrote on a social media site X.

Estonia condemns the detention of Georgian opposition leader Zurab Japaridze.
Repressive laws and actions against the opposition in Georgia are in stark contrast with European values.
Another dark hour for democracy in .

— Marge Mardisalu-Kahar (@MargeKahar) May 23, 2025

Chairman of the Riigikogu's Foreign Affairs Committee Marko Mihkelson (Reform) called the government a "dictatorship." He said it had committed another crime "against justice, democracy, and the rule of law" by arresting Japaridze.

"It is high time for democratic nations to move beyond words, impose sanctions on Ivanishvili's regime, and support the freedom-loving Georgian people in reclaiming their future. Free all political prisoners in Georgia!" he wrote on social media.

Estonia has been one of the strongest voices denouncing Georgia's declining democracy, having previously been a strong supporter of the country's plans to join the EU.

It has banned visa-free movement for diplomats and officials connected to the government and sanctioned those responsible for violence against peaceful protesters.

Today, Georgia's dictatorship committed yet another crime against justice, democracy, and the rule of law by unlawfully arresting Zurab Japaridze — a leader of the opposition party Coalition for Changes. Just a few days before Georgian Independence Day, it is high time for… pic.twitter.com/qSkquCSqdQ

— Marko Mihkelson (@markomihkelson) May 22, 2025

Dozens of countries have also criticized the move, according to local media outlet Civil Georgia.

Japaridze is one of the leaders of the Coalition for Change, which came in second in a parliamentary election in 2024, Germany's public broadcaster DW reported.

Opposition parties, including the Coalition for Change, are boycotting the current legislature amid accusations that the ruling Georgian Dream party rigged the vote in October.

Japaridze had refused to appear at an inquiry into alleged crimes committed between 2004 and 2012, during the term of ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili — who has since been jailed.

Japaridze, who featured prominently in the street protests last year, had also refused to pay bail and had been held in contempt by parliament. 

He has denounced the parliamentary probe as being illegitimate and of being unduly influenced by the ruling party.

His lawyer Irakli Chomakhashvili told AFP that the court ruling is a "politically motivated decision, an attempt to silence a critical political voice."

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