Civilnet
By Alexander Pracht
Attacks on civil society in Georgia pose a warning for the wider region, including Armenia, Transparency International's office in Armenia said in response to CivilNet’s inquiry on Thursday. The organization stressed that when governments move to silence independent voices, they not only weaken the rule of law at home but also set a precedent that can spill across borders.
Earlier on Wednesday, Transparency International’s head office expressed concern over what it described as pressure on Eka Gigauri, executive director of Transparency International Georgia, in connection with an ongoing criminal case. Gigauri, who has been questioned as part of the proceedings, told Georgian media earlier this month that the case is intended to intimidate civil society organizations in the country.
“The leader of Transparency International Georgia, our colleague Eka Gigauri, faces severe charges without basis, a sign of growing pressure on independent voices. We believe that the accusations—such as sabotage, collusion with foreign powers, and financial crimes—are unfounded. We see it as an attempt to silence one of Georgia’s most dedicated anti-corruption watchdogs,” the statement said.
François Valérian, Chair of Transparency International, warned that the persecution of Transparency International Georgia is a direct attack on democracy and the rule of law.
“Civil society is essential to Georgia’s future, not a threat to its sovereignty. We urge the authorities to end their campaign of harassment. Georgia’s commitment to democracy will be judged by how it treats those who fight for accountability and integrity,” he said.
In its comment to CivilNet, Transparency International’s Armenian office said that civil society is the backbone of democracy, providing citizens with a platform to voice concerns, hold governments accountable, and safeguard human rights. Sona Ayvazyan, executive director of the Yerevan office, said attempts to discredit, criminalize, or dismantle independent organizations erode trust in state institutions and undermine the democratic framework.
The statement also expressed its deep concern that these attacks, combined with Georgia’s restrictive laws such as the Foreign Agents Law and the new Grants Law, are designed to delegitimize independent watchdogs and limit civic space.
The Foreign Agents Law, adopted last year, came under heavy criticism from the European Union, the Council of Europe, and most global NGOs. It was largely copied from Russia’s law of the same name, which allowed Moscow to label thousands of individuals and organizations critical of the Kremlin as “foreign agents,” effectively blocking their operations in the country and exposing them to criminal prosecution.
“What we see happening in Georgia is deeply concerning, not only for Georgian civil society but for the entire region. When civil society is attacked in one country, it creates a dangerous precedent that others may be tempted to follow. This undermines democratic resilience region-wide and threatens the vital role of independent voices in safeguarding accountability and transparency.
For Armenia, the lesson is clear: we must remain vigilant and proactive in protecting the space for civil society, ensuring that organizations can continue to operate freely and independently and defend democratic principles and institutions,” Armenia’s branch said.
Transparency International is a global civil society organization dedicated to fighting corruption and promoting accountability worldwide. Each year, it publishes the Corruption Perceptions Index, which scores countries on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
In the 2024 report, Armenia received 47 points, placing it 63rd out of 180 countries. While the score showed no improvement from the previous year, Armenia still ranked above the global average of 43 points and outperformed its neighbors Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey. Georgia scored higher with 53 points.
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