On May 29, 2025, Georgian authorities detained Nika Melia, a prominent leader of the opposition Coalition for Change, in Tbilisi. Melia was arrested on charges of abusive behavior toward a law enforcement officer, as confirmed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. His lawyer, Giorgi Kondakhashvili, described the arrest as unjustified, stating that the police lacked grounds for detention. Melia was reportedly stopped by police and forcibly taken into custody while en route to a television appearance.
The arrest occurred just one day before a scheduled court hearing related to Melia’s refusal to testify before a parliamentary commission investigating alleged crimes under former President Mikheil Saakashvili’s administration. Previously, the Tbilisi City Court had set bail at 50,000 GEL (approximately $18,200), with the deadline for payment expiring at midnight on May 29. Melia had publicly stated his intention not to pay the bail, viewing the proceedings as politically motivated.
Melia’s detention marks the second arrest of a Coalition for Change leader within a week. On May 22, Zurab Japaridze was placed in pre-trial detention for refusing to participate in the same parliamentary inquiry. These actions have intensified concerns about the Georgian Dream party’s consolidation of power and its perceived shift toward authoritarianism and closer ties with Russia.
Opposition parties have condemned Melia’s arrest as part of a broader pattern of political persecution. The Lelo-Strong Georgia coalition issued a statement describing the detention as evidence of a “systemic crisis” within the government. Mamuka Khazaradze, leader of the Lelo party, expressed solidarity with Melia, stating that the regime is in a state of panic and resorting to “kidnapping political opponents from the streets.”
International reactions have also emerged. U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson criticized the Georgian Dream regime, asserting that the arrest of Melia is indicative of a broader effort to suppress opposition and align the country more closely with China. He called for sanctions as a response to these actions.
The European Union’s relationship with Georgia has been strained in recent months. Following contested elections in November 2024, which the opposition denounced as rigged, the Georgian Dream party announced a suspension of efforts to join the EU until 2028. This decision has been met with criticism, as EU membership is a widely supported goal among the Georgian public and is enshrined in the country’s constitution.
