The NGO claims that the Georgian government is demonstrating a disregard for the EU's priority of establishing visa-free travel.

In Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, a joint statement was issued by numerous local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), expressing their solidarity with those whose bank accounts have been frozen by court order. The statement underscores their shared aspiration for a free, fair, and democratic Georgia.

The court's decision to freeze the bank accounts, which is linked to an ongoing investigation, stems from allegations of "sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, aiding a foreign organization, and raising funds for actions against Georgia's constitutional order and national security." The prosecutor's office is driving this investigation.

The NGOs accused the Georgian government of seeking the "complete destruction" of dissenting and pro-European organizations, civic groups, and communities in Georgia. They claim that the criminalization of NGOs defending the rights and interests of Georgian citizens suggests a goal by the ruling Georgian Dream party to leave people unprotected against state reprisals.

The freeze on the bank accounts has left more than 60 NGOs in Georgia without access to vital funds, resulting in the suspension of activities and leaving thousands without access to free legal aid and other essential services.

The actions against the NGOs are seen as a signal to the European Union (EU) that the Georgian government may not be interested in maintaining the visa-free regime. The EU has given the Georgian authorities until 31 August to ease their stance towards civil society, warning that visa-free travel for Georgian citizens could be revoked if they do not. However, the EU has not specified any particular actions the Georgian government should take to meet this deadline.

It is not clear from the available information who the procurator is that granted the approval to freeze the bank accounts. Nor is it clear whether any Georgian authorities have publicly responded to the joint statement by the NGOs.

The case is ongoing and has not yet resulted in any convictions. The accusations against the NGOs include equipping participants of protest rallies and encouraging them to violence.

The Georgian government faces pressure to demonstrate to the EU whether it intends to keep the visa-free regime for Georgian people. The NGOs' statement emphasizes that such actions demonstrate the Georgian government's lack of interest in maintaining the visa-free regime with the EU.

The NGO claims that the Georgian government is demonstrating a disregard for the EU's priority of establishing visa-free travel.