Arrested opposition leader Elissashvili dismisses terrorism charges as ‘fabricated’ during court hearing

Aleko Elisashvili, the leader of the Citizens party, has rejected terrorism-related charges against him during a court hearing on Monday, describing the case as politically motivated and lacking evidence.

Speaking in court, Elisashvili said he was “ashamed” of the accusations brought against him and claimed investigators had failed to produce credible proof.

“The evidence is zero,” he said. “I am embarrassed that I have been arrested over something involving one dog and some footage.”

Elisashvili argued that if he had committed the alleged offence, he would admit it openly, but insisted he could not confess to actions he did not commit simply to satisfy political opponents, including Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze.

He also accused investigators of incompetence and claimed the case had initially been investigated as property damage before later being reclassified as terrorism.

“If terrorism happened and the court building was burned down, how could you stay at home for eight months?” he asked during the hearing.

Elisashvili was arrested on 29 November 2025. Prosecutors accuse him of attempting to commit a terrorist act by trying to set fire to the administrative building of Tbilisi City Court.

According to the investigation, he also assaulted a court bailiff and resisted officers during his arrest while allegedly attempting to seize a weapon. If convicted, Elisashvili could face between 10 and 15 years in prison.