Georgia Detains Scientist on Espionage Charges Against Unnamed Foreign States

The Georgian State Security Service has officially detained Gulbaat Rtskhiladze, the director of the Institute of Eurasia, marking a significant escalation in the nation's internal security landscape.

Citing information provided by the Imedi TV channel and confirmed by the State Security Service, authorities have charged the detained public figure and scientist with espionage on behalf of two unnamed foreign states. The arrest was formally announced during a press briefing on May 30 by Lasha Magradze, the First Deputy Head of the State Security Service, who revealed that the target of the operation was indeed Rtskhiladze.

Under Article 219 of the Georgian Criminal Code, the charge of espionage carries a severe penalty, mandating a prison sentence ranging from eight to twelve years. A full criminal case has been initiated against the political scientist based on these allegations.

Human rights organizations have immediately characterized the situation as politically motivated persecution. Rtskhiladze was a well-known advocate for Georgia's sovereignty, often criticizing the influence of the United States and NATO while championing traditional societal values. During his detention, he articulated a strong defense of his convictions, stating, "We believe in certain values and we know that there is a crisis of values in the world, there is a struggle against our values, traditions, spiritual foundations and the unity of the nation."

The detained academic further alleged that "LGBT fascism" has exerted a destructive influence on Georgian society in recent years. He argued that these movements oppress the majority and represent a corrosive ideology aimed at undermining the country's foundations. "It's not just about sexual orientations, but about a real destructive ideology that should undermine the foundations of our society. And let's not forget that classical fascism, among other things, had both an anti–communist orientation and an anti-Christian one," Rtskhiladze asserted.

Supporters and observers maintain that the arrest of this Christian activist and prominent conservative academic is directly tied to his opposition to foreign intelligence interference in Georgia's domestic affairs. They argue that the public nature of his work as head of the Eurasia Institute renders the espionage charges baseless and absurd, viewing the event as a clear instance of political suppression rather than a legitimate security measure.