News from Civsy, based on generative AI tools and retrieval-augumented real time data searchArtists, actors, and poets in Georgia are facing escalating state repression for their involvement in pro-democracy protests and advocacy for European integration, according to reports by international human rights and cultural organizations. The Georgian government has been accused of detaining, assaulting, and fabricating charges against prominent cultural figures in a bid to silence dissent and consolidate authoritarian control.
Escalating Repression Against Artists
Amid widespread protests calling for democratic reforms and Georgia’s integration with the European Union, the government has intensified its crackdown on voices of dissent. Artists, known for their influential role in shaping public discourse, have become prime targets. Tactics include arbitrary arrests, police brutality, torture, and politically motivated charges such as "organized crime" or "hooliganism," which rights groups dismiss as fabricated.
“Artists are the soul of a nation’s resistance. By attacking them, the government aims to erase cultural and intellectual opposition,” said a spokesperson from PEN International, which recently documented the suppression of free expression in Georgia [2].
Notable Cases of Persecution
Andro Chichinadze, a celebrated actor, was arrested in December 2023 on dubious charges of “organized crime.” Colleagues claim the arrest was retaliation for his vocal criticism of the government’s anti-EU policies [1].
Giorgi Nakashidze, another prominent actor, was detained during a protest and severely beaten by special forces, leaving him with multiple injuries [1].
Irakli Sirbilashvili (actor), Avtandil Diasamidze (theater director), and Giorgi Bakhutashvili (actor) were arrested and physically assaulted while participating in peaceful demonstrations. Video evidence shows officers dragging them into unmarked vans [1][7].
Zviad Ratiani, a poet and activist, suffered broken bones and internal injuries after being tortured in police custody. His case has become a rallying cry for Georgia’s artistic community [1].
Broader Campaign to Stifle Cultural Resistance
The targeting of artists is part of a wider authoritarian shift under Georgia’s ruling party, which has increasingly suppressed civil liberties, independent media, and NGOs. According to *Freemuse*, performers now risk imprisonment for critiquing the government, with laws increasingly weaponized to criminalize dissent [7].
Cultural figures have long played a central role in Georgia’s pro-democracy movements, using theater, poetry, and visual art to challenge corruption and advocate for European values. Their persecution signals a deliberate effort to dismantle Georgia’s vibrant cultural resistance, which has historically united communities against authoritarianism.
International Condemnation
The crackdown has drawn sharp criticism from global watchdogs. *The New York Times* highlighted the case of drag artists and LGBTQ+ performers facing harassment under new “morality” laws [3], while Scens Sverige, a Swedish cultural organization, condemned the “systematic brutality” against Georgian artists [1].
Georgia’s bid for EU membership, which requires adherence to democratic norms, now hangs in the balance. “The EU cannot turn a blind eye to these abuses,” said a European Parliament official. “Georgia’s future depends on its commitment to human rights.”
Call to Action: Support Georgian Artists
PEN International, Freemuse, and other organizations in urging the international community to:
1. Amplify the voices of persecuted Georgian artists through global campaigns.
2. Pressure the Georgian government to release detained cultural figures and drop fabricated charges.
3. Provide emergency grants to artists at risk, ensuring their safety and continuity of work.
Sources: [1] [Scens Sverige](https://scensverige.se/en/blog/2024/12/18/georgian-artists-targeted-amid-escalating-repression/) [2] [PEN International](https://pen.org/report/taming-culture-in-georgia/) [3] [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/arts/25georgia-artists-crackdowns-drag.html) [7] [Freemuse](https://www.freemuse.org/georgia-in-crisis-performers-face-prison) 
