Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party (GD) has frozen the accounts of several NGOs that provide crucial assistance to those fined or arrested at pro-EU protests.

Among the affected organisations are Nanuka’s Fund, managed by journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani, Prosperity Georgia, run by former Georgian prime minister and businessman Nika Gilauri, and Human Rights House Tbilisi.

The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office, which was reportedly behind the operation, claimed in a statement released on March 17 that organisations assisting protesters are in fact facilitating and “encouraging” criminal activity.

The office announced that it had opened an investigation into “sabotage” on the basis of an appeal by the pro-GD group, United Neutral Georgia (UNG), but did not provide details as to who it was investigating.

All three NGOs confirmed on March 17 that their accounts have been frozen. None received any notice beforehand.

Zhorzholiani reported that she was informed by her bank that Nanuka’s Fund’s assets had been frozen following an urgent injunction issued the Tbilisi City Court.

The Prosecutor’s Office stated that funds were seized from a total of five NGOs as part of an investigation into alleged “subversive activities” and “sabotage” by the organisations.

The frozen funds had been providing vital financial support to individuals who have received fines for participating in ongoing, anti-GD street protests, as well as for those who have been dismissed from their jobs as part of an ongoing political purge of Georgia’s public sector.

Demonstrations have gripped the Caucasus country for over 110 nights, triggered by the contested October 26 parliamentary election which GD are accused of rigging, and the party’s suspension of EU accession negotiations a month later.

Watchdogs suggest over 400 people were arrested at protests throughout November and December, with dozens reporting brutal mistreatment at the hands of law enforcement.

GD has introduced increasingly repressive legislation in recent months in an attempt to intimidate protesters and crush the resistance.

These measures include a ban on face coverings at demonstrations, and the use facial recognition cameras to track attendees on Tbilisi’s Rustaveli Avenue, a key protest site.

Legislative amendments in February increased penalties for administrative offences such as insulting police officers and blocking roads, and many have been fined GEL5,000 (roughly $1800) for the latter offence.

As reported by Civil.ge, the Prosecutor’s Office claimed that, through helping protesters cover their fines, the five NGOs “encouraged civil unrest and other unlawful activities”.

According to the office’s statement, the funds have spent more than 2,000,000 GEL (roughly $721,000) to “finance illegal activities” since December 2024.

The Prosecutor’s Office stated that the “so-called funds” aimed to “provide material support to lawbreakers”, encourage criminals and facilitate further offences.

Government critics and watchdogs condemned the authorities’ seizure of the funds, framing it as a continued attack on Georgians’ freedom to protest.

Denis Krivosheev, the Deputy Director of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia branch of Amnesty International, described the decision as “yet another blatant attack by the Georgian authorities on human rights”.

“This measure seeks to further undermine the rights to peaceful assembly and association and violates Georgia’s international human rights obligations,” Krivosheev continued.

“They [GD] are afraid of the funds – and they should be! They fear all forms of solidarity, which is why they are cracking down on them,” Elene Khoshtaria, one the leaders of the Strong Georgia opposition coalition stated in response to the seizure of funds.