The Democracy Research Institute comments on the statement made by MMA fighter Giorgi Kartvelishvili during a press conference held on 27 July 2026 regarding the establishment of the so-called People's Movement.

During the press conference, Kartvelishvili announced that the People's Movement is beginning its "struggle" against all individuals and groups who insult Georgian identity, traditions, values, and religion. According to him, the movement's primary objective will be to fight against "people with a distorted ideology who are in slavish submission to foreign-funded external interests, and the groups formed by them". He also stated that members of the movement "will not shy away from any danger" and expressed their readiness, if necessary, to go to prison should "the circumstances leave them no other choice".

The objectives and rhetoric of the newly announced movement give rise to well-founded concerns that it may involve the establishment of an informal group whose purpose could be to intimidate individuals holding dissenting views, carry out violent reprisals, and arbitrarily "punish" them. This concern is reinforced by the violent attack on comedian Onise Okriashvili, which the founder of the organisation described as an act carried out "to defend the country".

Against the backdrop of the existing political polarisation, there are grounds to suspect that representatives of Georgian Dream are behind the newly announced movement. Open and public support for Niko Khurtsilava, the individual accused of attacking comedian Onise Okriashvili, was expressed not only by Giorgi Kartvelishvili, who announced the initiative for the movement just a few days after the attack, but also by representatives of the Georgian Dream party. Dimitri Samkharadze, a Member of Parliament and member of the Political Council of Georgian Dream, described Khurtsilava as a "patriot" and a "true Georgian", characterised his actions as a "reaction to a line that had been crossed", and publicly expressed his willingness to use his parliamentary mandate to stand surety for him. In addition, representatives of the Georgian Dream youth organisation, party activists, and individuals affiliated with the ruling authorities attended Khurtsilava's court hearing and publicly expressed their support for his release.

The open support expressed by Giorgi Kartvelishvili and representatives of the ruling party for an individual accused of violence gives rise to legitimate concerns that members of the movement may expect political patronage, impunity, or official support.

The establishment of informal structures that assume responsibility for protecting and enforcing morality, religion, and national values is contrary to the principle of the rule of law.

The combination of establishing an organised initiative group, declaring a "struggle" against specific ideological groups, announcing "immediate action", and publicly signalling actions that could result in imprisonment provides sufficient grounds for the competent investigative authorities to promptly examine the movement's objectives, organisational structure, membership, sources of funding, and methods of operation, as well as whether its activities contain indications of organising violence, coercion, or other criminal acts.

The Democracy Research Institute calls on:

• The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia and the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia: to immediately assess whether Giorgi Kartvelishvili's statements contain indications of threats, incitement to violence, preparation for organised criminal activity, or any other potential offence under the Criminal Code;
• The competent state authorities: to ensure a comprehensive and impartial examination of the movement's organisational structure, membership, sources of funding, forms of activity, and any potentially unlawful objectives;
• Law enforcement authorities: to ensure the effective protection of Onise Okriashvili and all other individuals who may become potential targets as a result of the statements made by the movement.