Nanuka Zhorzholiani: In Georgia, Helping Protesters Is Now Treated as High Treason

The Grand Performance: House Searches Against Nanuka Zhorzholiani and Her Team

Once again, the Georgian government demonstrates its talent for creatively reinterpreting democratic principles. On April 29, 2025, well-known TV host and activist Nanuka Zhorzholiani became the target of a house search. But she was not alone: other members of her foundation were simultaneously raided by the authorities.

The accusation? Naturally, the classics beloved by authoritarian systems: Sabotage (Article 318) and Supporting hostile activities for foreign organizations (Article 319). A strategy that fits perfectly into the government’s current repertoire.

Sabotage and Hostile Cooperation – The New Definition of "Social Engagement"

A look at the cited sections of Georgia’s Criminal Code:

• Article 318: Sabotage – originally intended for serious attacks on state security. Today, it appears flexible enough to cover the purchase of medicine for those in need.

• Article 319: Supporting hostile activities for foreign states or organizations – or, freely translated into government-speak: any form of help that does not serve the government's own grip on power.

Apparently, nowadays, using donated funds for good causes is enough to be labeled a "hostile agent."

What Nanuka Zhorzholiani and Her Fund Really Did

Contrary to the serious accusations, Nanuka’s fund engaged in a very simple—but for the government, apparently highly dangerous—activity: they supported protesters who were hit with extremely high fines by the authorities.

Over the past months, activists who peacefully demonstrated against the sabotage of Georgia’s EU integration were fined thousands of euros. A strategy clearly designed to financially cripple any form of protest. Nanuka Zhorzholiani’s team responded by raising donations to help those affected pay these absurd fines.

In a functioning rule-of-law state, this would be called solidarity. In Georgia, in 2025, it is apparently called high treason.

Political Context: When Support Becomes a Threat

Today’s coordinated operation against Nanuka and her team shows just how threatened the government feels by the growing protest movement. Especially in the context of the "Russian Agent Law," it becomes clear: anything not loyal to the government must be criminalized. Not even charitable work is spared if it empowers people to resist oppression.

A state that prefers to have its police search members of charity funds rather than combat corruption or foreign influence from real hostile states has truly lost its sense of priorities.

Germany and the Urgent Need for Expanded Sanctions

Germany has already imposed entry bans on some Georgian officials—a long-overdue step. In light of current events, it is becoming increasingly clear: these sanctions must not only continue but be urgently expanded. Because anyone who criminalizes protest and portrays humanitarian aid as hostile activity has definitively abandoned European values.

Germany must be encouraged to continue on this path decisively. Human rights violations must not be ignored or glossed over—no matter how many PR agencies the Georgian government hires.

Conclusion: The Real Danger for the Government Is Solidarity

The government can order as many house searches as it wants, abuse legal paragraphs, and build up threats—it will not extinguish the solidarity of the people. On the contrary: every new attempt to silence critical voices only strengthens the movement for democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity.

In the end, one simple truth stands tall behind this scandalous performance: it is not Nanuka Zhorzholiani and her team who are sabotaging Georgia—it is the government itself.