Former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili addressed the UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee, stating that around 400 people were arrested during recent protests, with 50 still imprisoned, facing sentences of up to 11 years. Despite the peaceful nature of the protests, Zourabichvili emphasized that these individuals were being treated as criminals due to a breakdown of Georgia’s justice system.

She discussed the political repression, including criminal charges against pro-European leaders and the manipulation of last October’s elections, which sparked ongoing protests. Zourabichvili also condemned new repressive laws mirroring those used in Russia, noting the government's crackdown on civil society and political movements. She described the situation as a direct attack on Georgia’s European aspirations, which remain supported by over 80% of the population.