Data, pressure, democracy: Interview with Saba Brachveli on the attack on Georgia's civil society

On June 17, several Georgian human rights organizations received a court order requiring them to hand over highly sensitive personal data of their beneficiaries—including identities, photos, and communication histories—to the state. The measure, initiated by the Anti-Corruption Bureau, immediately sparked protests from civil society actors. They warned that cooperation would not only be ethically unacceptable, but a direct attack on the rights of vulnerable groups. Accordingly, they unanimously declared their refusal to hand over the data.

We spoke with Saba Brachveli from the Civil Society Foundation about the background to the order, the planned countermeasures and the question of how citizens can still invoke their constitutional rights in this situation.

“If we fail to release even one document, we face criminal proceedings.”

As Brachveli reports, the order was physically handed over on June 17. It is based on a request from the Anti-Corruption Bureau and obligates the organizations to hand over personal data under the pretext of an ongoing investigation. However, the legal pressure is massive: "Even if we withhold just one document, that is already considered a crime under Article 381," Brachveli says. This would create a legal framework for house searches, seizures, account freezing, and possible charges against the organizations' leaders.

Brachveli sees this action not as mere law enforcement, but as a deliberate attempt to politically silence the organizations: "The release of third-party data is out of the question for us. Period."

Affected organizations and data: From victim protection to whistleblowers

Among the organizations initially targeted were Sapari , which advocates for victims of violence against women and children, and Transparency International Georgia , which works to combat corruption. ISFED and the Open Society Georgia Foundation have also joined the resistance.

Brachveli explains why the data transfer is so sensitive, considering the potential consequences: "This isn't about ordinary administrative data. It's about the identities of abuse victims, whistleblowers, and social projects. These could be published, thus deliberately exposing people."

While some information—such as funding agreements—already existed at authorities like the tax office, it was subject to confidentiality: "Data that is considered a trade secret in normal procedures is suddenly being made public here. This violates every form of privacy."

Political pressure, propaganda – and a new wave of repression?

The resistance is increasingly being criminalized. Sapari has been publicly accused by Justice Minister Paata Salia and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Gia Volski, among others, of destroying evidence – simply because the organization had destroyed data on victims of violence in order to protect them. Brachveli calls this "baseless propaganda."

In parallel, the legal battle continues. The Civil Society Foundation has filed an appeal against the order. "We expect a decision soon – even if the chances of success are minimal. Our deadline for surrender has already passed anyway," said Brachveli. The big question now is: Will the court set a new deadline, thereby opening the door to direct repression?

Germany in Focus: DAAD scholarship for son of clan judge

A particularly sensitive aspect concerns the international dimension. Tiflis24 has learned that Goga Kikilashvili , son of a high-ranking judge and member of the Georgian Judicial Council, has received a DAAD scholarship and will soon travel to Germany. Brachveli considers it a scandal: "Both father and son are deeply corrupt actors. The fact that such people are being invited to Europe with German money is politically disastrous."

Since countries like Hungary and Slovakia are blocking sanctions at the EU level, Brachveli advocates for measures at the national level: "A single EU country like Germany can send a clear signal with entry bans – and that works. We know of cases where sanctioned persons have been turned away at EU borders."

The regime's fear: freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, freedom of association

Despite the growing repression, Brachveli sees no alternative to resistance. "This regime fears three things: freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association." Since December 2024, 16 laws have been passed that are intended to restrict precisely these rights. "They want to destroy civil society – but these very rights are our most powerful weapon."

Civil society's response must therefore be: not to give in. "Organize, protest, speak out – that's precisely their greatest fear. And our greatest leverage."

Interview with Saba Brachveli: “They want to silence us – by legal means”

Tiflis24: First, can you specify when and in what form you received the court order to disclose personal data?

Saba Brachveli: The order was delivered to us personally on June 17. The Anti-Corruption Bureau had requested it from the court, which granted the request, and then forwarded the order to the Bureau for delivery to us. Thus, it was delivered to us—and all other affected organizations.

Tiflis24: In your opinion, what is the purpose of this data request? Why is the state requesting sensitive information such as names, photos, or private communications from beneficiaries?

Saba Brachveli: It would be speculative to discuss the exact motives. But one thing is clear: They knew in advance that we would not share third-party data under any circumstances. That's out of the question for us. Under criminal law, the situation is such that withholding even a single document—out of ten requests—is considered a violation of Article 381. That's sufficient grounds for investigations, house searches, seizures, account freezing, or even charges against the leaders of the organizations. The goal, therefore, appears to be to use legal means to exert political repression and block our work.

Tiflis24: Why would the release of this data be dangerous for your beneficiaries?

Saba Brachveli: Because the Anti-Corruption Bureau could easily publish the information. The eight organizations in question work with particularly vulnerable groups— Sapari , for example, supports women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Transparency International Georgia works on corruption and has whistleblowers among its sources. If their identities become public, these people are at massive risk.

We have hundreds of project partners who received funding during the period in question. These contracts are already filed with the tax office for tax reasons, but they are considered trade secrets. The government can view them but cannot publish them. They want to take our data away from us in order to deliberately publish it—with the goal of violating the privacy of those affected.

Tiflis24: You and other organizations have announced that they will not hand over the data. Have you already received legal or political threats?

Saba Brachveli: Yes. On June 18, seven organizations publicly declared that they would not release beneficiary data under any circumstances. Two more joined in—including our "twin organization," the Open Society Foundation Georgia , and ISFED . None of these organizations will share the data.

We have filed a joint appeal – it is currently being reviewed by the Court of Appeal without a hearing. Although we don't have high hopes, we await a decision. Our original deadline for surrender has expired. The court is now expected to set a new deadline. After that, it will decide whether the regime will begin repressive measures against us.

So far, these have mainly been verbal attacks. For example, Gia Volski and Justice Minister Paata Salia have publicly accused Sapari of destroying evidence – simply because they had deleted sensitive data to protect their beneficiaries. This is pure propaganda.

Tiflis24: We've been informed that the son of a Georgian clan judge – Giorgi Kikilashvili, a member of the Judicial Council – is traveling to Germany on a DAAD scholarship. What do you say about this?

Saba Brachveli: Both father and son Kikilashvili are deeply corrupt actors. It is absolutely necessary that the list of sanctioned individuals be expanded. This is difficult at the EU level due to the blockade by Hungary and Slovakia. But individual measures by countries like Germany can also have an impact.

We know of cases in which sanctioned individuals or their family members have been turned away at EU borders because border officials have access to databases from other member states. Therefore, it is essential that Germany also increase the pressure – especially against members of the judicial clan and those who politically control the Georgian justice system. Sanctions hit these individuals hard.

Tiflis24: How should citizens behave in such a situation? How can civil society defend its rights?

Saba Brachveli: Since the end of November 2024, we have been experiencing a protest movement unlike any other in Georgia. And we clearly see what the government fears most: the three fundamental freedoms—freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association.

Since December, 16 laws have been passed that specifically restrict these freedoms. The goal is not only to crush civil society but also to criminalize public expression, including on social media.

Our response must be to continue practicing these very freedoms. Organizing, protesting, speaking out – that is our greatest strength. And the regime's greatest fear.