As part of an investigation conducted by the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office, the accounts of several non-governmental organizations have been frozen

This was stated in a release issued by the Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the statement, the Tbilisi City Court granted the Prosecutor’s Office’s motion to freeze the bank accounts of certain NGOs in the framework of an investigation into acts of sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, providing assistance to a foreign organization or an organization controlled by foreigners engaged in hostile activities, as well as mobilizing funds for activities directed against the constitutional order and the foundations of Georgia’s national security.

“The investigation established that in 2024, protest rallies were held in front of the Parliament of Georgia and in various locations across the country, which in a short time took on a violent character and went beyond the limits established by law. Alongside these protests, calls by opposition party leaders and the heads of certain NGOs for mass disobedience and nationwide resistance gradually escalated into confrontations with the police, which were deliberate in nature. As a result, dozens of law enforcement officers were injured, pyrotechnics, flammable and incendiary substances, including so-called Molotov cocktails, were used. Violent groups set fire to the Parliament building, causing significant damage to the legislative body. Police special equipment was also set on fire, and both state and private property on Rustaveli Avenue was destroyed.

In order to more effectively carry out violent actions against law enforcement officers, some protest participants were equipped with special gas masks, helmets, face masks, respirators, protective goggles, batons, and other items. There were also numerous recorded instances of pepper spray and similar means being used against police officers.

The investigation determined that the provision of special equipment to protest participants for violent actions against law enforcement was carried out in a coordinated manner, including with funds from NGOs. In particular, targeted financial resources of NGOs such as the “Civil Society Foundation,” the “International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy,” the “Institute for the Development of Freedom of Information,” “Defenders of Democracy,” the “Georgian Democratic Initiative,” “Sapari,” and the “Social Justice Center” were used to purchase equipment such as gas masks, protective goggles, respirators, face coverings, pepper spray, and other items, which protesters actively used during violent confrontations with the police.

The leaders of these organizations openly called on the public to engage in disobedience and resistance, while their organizational and financial activities were entirely directed at ensuring financial support for individuals involved in violent actions and their family members. Fines were paid on behalf of offenders, legal defense expenses were covered, and other personal and organizational issues were addressed. The goal of these actions was, on the one hand, to encourage those engaged in unlawful acts, and on the other hand, to protect them. Ultimately, the coordinated actions were intended to weaken law enforcement agencies and disrupt their normal functioning.

Since the activities of the mentioned NGOs went beyond their statutory objectives, and a significant portion of the funds they received was used to finance illegal activities, on the basis of a court ruling on August 27, the bank accounts of these organizations were frozen, thereby restricting further misuse of financial resources.

The public will be periodically informed about the progress and results of the investigation,” the statement released by the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia said.