Tsulukiani Commission

The Parliamentary Temporary Investigative Commission Investigating the Activities of the Regime and Its Political Officials in 2003-2012 (Georgian: 2003-2012 წლებში მოქმედი რეჟიმისა და რეჟიმის პოლიტიკური თანამდებობის პირების საქმიანობის შემსწავლელი დროებითი საგამოძიებო კომისიის, romanized: 2003-2012 ts'lebshi mokmedi rezhimisa da rezhimis p'olit'ik'uri tanamdebobis p'irebis sakmianobis shemsts'avleli droebiti sagamodziebo k'omisiis), also known as the "Tsulukiani Commission" (Georgian: წულუკიანის კომისია, romanized: ts'uluk'ianis k'omisia), is a parliamentary body established by the Parliament of Georgia under the leadership of Thea Tsulukiani, a prominent member of the ruling Georgian Dream party.[1] In public discourse the commission is directly identified with its chair Tsulukiani.

Its stated purpose is to investigate alleged misconduct and criminal activities of the preceding government, the United National Movement (UNM), from 2003 to 2012, a period largely coinciding with Mikheil Saakashvili's presidency. Media has also referred to it as an "anti-UNM commission", to describe what is widely seen as retributive intent.[2] In March 2025, the commission's mandate was expanded to include the period after Georgian Dream came to power in 2012, extending up to 2024.[3]

The activities of the commission involve the public hearing in the building of the Georgian Parliament of various individuals, including various alleged victims of the UNM government. After finishing its work, the commission is supposed to present report sumerissing its activities to the Parliament of Georgia.[4] In June 2025, the failure to follow a summons to the Tsulukiani Commission has been cited as an reason to arrest and jail several of Georgia's leading opposition figures.[5]

Establishment and activity

The establishment of the commission was preceded by Bidzina Ivanishvili repeatedly calling for a kind of Nuremberg Trials for Georgia's opposition during the election campaign in the fall of 2024.[6]

The formation of the commission was publicly announced by the Georgian Dream party on January 9, 2025, and received parliamentary approval on February 5, 2025 . Initially, its focus was specifically on "the activities of the regime and political figures of the regime from 2003 to 2012". Tsulukiani has announced it may further increase its mandate.[7]

As of April 28, 2025, the commission had conducted 17 sessions since its inception on February 13, 2025. During these sessions, 55 individuals were interviewed, with approximately 30 identifying as victims of past abuses. These figures do not include those who were summoned but refused to appear.

The commission's investigative scope is broad, covering various alleged crimes and abuses. This includes, among others:

  • Alleged Torture and Business Racketeering: Investigations into claims of torture and widespread business racketeering during the previous government's tenure.
  • The Russo-Georgian War of 2008: The commission attributes responsibility for the August 2008 war to the former UNM government and ex-President Mikheil Saakashvili.
  • Rally Dispersals (2009, 2011): Scrutiny of historical incidents such as the dispersal of a rally on June 15, 2009, and a rally of veterans in 2011.
  • The Chorchana Episode (2019): This involves former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia's alleged unilateral authorization of a checkpoint in Chorchana, near the Russian-occupied Tskhinvali (South Ossetian) administrative boundary line, while he was Minister of Internal Affairs. The Prosecutor's Office is concurrently investigating this case for potential offenses including sabotage and collaboration with hostile foreign organizations.
  • Events of June 20, 2019, in Tbilisi: Examination of the dispersal of rallies on this date, including testimony from figures like Giorgi Choladze.
  • Coordinated Disinformation Campaigns: Investigation into "coordinated disinformation campaigns against Georgia" by lobbyists, with testimony from Georgia's Ambassador to the UN, regarding FARA records.[8]

Summoned individuals and compliance

The commission has summoned various individuals, including alleged victims and former officials, some of whom are now prominent opposition leaders. Notable individuals summoned include:

Most opposition leaders summoned have refused to appear, citing their belief that the one-party parliament, formed after the disputed October 26, 2024, elections, is illegitimate. This widespread boycott highlights a fundamental dispute over the legitimacy of the parliamentary body and the commission.

Attendance and jailing for non-compliance

Several opposition figures have been sentenced to prison for refusing to appear.[5] Giorgi Vashadze received a seven months sentence in June 2025, Badri Japaridze and Mamuka Khazaradze were sentenced to eight months. Zurab Japaridze received seven months.[9] Nika Melia and Irakli Okruashvili are also reported to be imprisoned for non-appearance.[10] On June 27 2025, the former security official Givi Targamadze was also sentended to seven months of jail for not following the summons.[11]

The commission has consistently referred cases of non-appearance to the Prosecutor's Office, leading to criminal investigations and court rulings. The Prime Minister's comments, implying that defiance of the GD parliament would lead to imprisonment, further underscore the government's stance.

Controversies and criticisms

The commission's operations have faced significant controversy and criticism:

  • Allegations of Political Motivation: Critics widely accuse the commission of being politically motivated, serving as a tool for the ruling Georgian Dream party to target and delegitimize opposition forces, particularly ahead of the October 4 local elections.[12] Analysts suggest its work is "preparation for the elections" and aims to "delegitimize opposition groups by associating them with past abuses". The ruling party explicitly intends to submit the final report to the Constitutional Court to ban the UNM and its "successor parties". The commission also does not include any opposition members.[5]
  • Human Rights Concerns: Human rights organizations, such as the HRC, have raised concerns regarding the persecution of opposition politicians for refusing to appear before what they deem an "unconstitutional commission of the illegitimate parliament". The consistent imposition of prison sentences rather than fines for non-compliance is seen as starkly disproportional. The Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA) has argued that refusing to appear cannot be qualified as a criminal offense.
  • Procedural Issues: The commission has been criticized for procedural fairness, such as the refusal to allow Giorgi Gakharia to testify remotely, despite rules permitting it and its application to other high-profile individuals. This selective application of rules raises questions about the commission's impartiality.

In discussions in the Council of Europe, a United Kingdom politician has described the Tsulukiani Commission as "a kangaroo court" also.[13]

As a result of the Tsulukiani commission, most of the leaders of the parties contesting the 2024 parliamentary elections now are in jail.[9][10]

References

  1. ^ "Georgian Parliament approves establishment of temporary investigative commission to investigate activities of former UNM regime, its officials between 2003 and 2012". Imedi Media Holding. 5 February 2025.
  2. ^ "Gakharia appears before anti-UNM commission, grilled by ex-colleagues over his once-praised tenure". OC Media. 2025-04-15. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
  3. ^ "GD Amends Rules to Let Commission Investigating UNM Request Probe at Any Stage". Civil Georgia. 11 March 2025.
  4. ^ "Tea Tsulukiani: Our commission has held 17 sessions, we have interviewed 55 persons, including 30 victims - these data do not include those who refused to appear". Interpressnews. 28 April 2025.
  5. ^ a b c Megrelidze, Sophiko (24 June 2025). "Georgia jails top opposition figures as authorities ramp up crackdown". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  6. ^ Lomsadze, Giorgi (27 August 2024). "Incumbents touting desire to turn Georgia into a one-party state | Eurasianet". EurasiaNet. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  7. ^ "Tea Tsulukiani: The United National Movement came to power as a result of events that were mistakenly called a revolution – we are investigating this, and most likely, we will say that this was not a velvet revolution!". www.interpressnews.ge. 25 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  8. ^ "Georgia's UN Ambassador says FARA records reveal lobbyists' coordinated disinformation campaign against Georgia". Imedi TV. 23 June 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Georgian opposition figure Giorgi Vashadze jailed in widening crackdown". Al Jazeera. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  10. ^ a b "Giorgi Vashadze Sentenced to Seven Months for Defying GD Commission". Civil Georgia. 24 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Liveblog: Gedevan Popkhadze Joins Elene Khoshtaria in Hunger Strike". Civil Georgia. 27 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  12. ^ "Kobakhidze Says ODIHR Monitoring of Local Elections 'Unnecessary'". Civil Georgia. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
  13. ^ "Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Debate on Georgia". Retrieved 26 June 2025.
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