On May 16, 2022, Nika Gvaramia, a pro-opposition journalist, an outspoken critic of the current government of Georgia, and the Founder and CEO of the TV channel Mtavari Arkhi, was arrested. His arrest was based on unfounded, frivolous charges. He was eventually found guilty and sentenced to three and a half years in prison. The ruling is nothing short of politically motivated to silence one of the country’s leading opposition-leaning broadcasters.

Multiple organizations, including The Public Defender of Georgia, the Georgian and international community, and international human rights and media defense organizations, have unanimously questioned Gvaramia's conviction. Questions were raised from the start, including the charges' timing and the conviction and sentence. Even the perception of selective investigations, prosecutions, and convictions diminishes the public’s confidence in law enforcement, the prosecution, the courts, and the government itself.  Numerous international and Georgian human rights organizations referred to his sentencing as politically motivated. Some even identified his imprisonment as an act of sabotage to Georgia's European future.

Contrary to the Georgian government's aggressive rhetoric against its strategic allies, Mrs. Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, has been a strong advocate for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic future. President Zourabichvili shared her concern regarding the government's actions on Nika Gvaramia's arrest and timing. On November 2nd, the Appeals Court upheld Nika Gvaramia’s sentencing. Based on her constitutional power, President Zourabichvili has the authority to pardon Nika Gvaramia to ensure his release. 

Please join me in signing this petition requesting Madam President to exercise her constitutional authority to pardon Nika Gvaramia and bring Georgia one step closer to becoming part of the European family.

Below is a letter I am sending to President Salome Zourabichvili. I invite you to copy this letter, add your name, and sign it. Then, email it to her at: gkokhreidze@president.gov.ge

You may also call her office at the following number: +995 577001125


Dear Madame President,

You have been a beacon of hope for Georgian immigrants for the last few years. Those of us who fled the tyranny of the Soviet Union, who weren’t sure if Georgia could ever truly step into the first world, have listened to you speak favorably about European integration and allowed ourselves to hope.

However, after today’s decision by the Tbilisi Appeals Court to uphold Nika Gvaramia’s sentence, I must formally express my extreme disappointment in and distress for the justice system of Georgia. My concern reaches deeper than the fate of one man - I’m concerned for the existence of our dear nation. There can be no doubt that this is an abuse of power by a government that is devolving back into a dictatorship. We fought evil and injustice in the 90’s, and collectively we believed that Democracy had won. Today, we were proven wrong. I am heartbroken for my people and my country.

Over and over again, Madame President, you have demonstrated that your vision for Georgia’s future is the right and perhaps the only one. Now is the time to live that vision. I implore you to exercise your constitutional right and pardon Mr. Nika Gvaramia. Please, Madame President, I beg you to turn inward. Listen to your soul and hear your parents’ and grandparents’ plea! They did not flee the Soviet Army and raise you in France so that you could inflict another dictatorship upon Georgia. This is not who you are. This is not who WE are.

Show the world who we truly are. Show them that we are Europeans, and our goal is one united Europe! Please, Madam President, HELP SAVE OUR NATION!

Sincerely,

Dr. Mindia Gabichvadze