Providing legal assistance to protesters detained by the “Georgian Dream” government is neither a crime nor “sabotage against the state,” stated U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen in response to the freezing of the accounts of seven non-governmental organizations in Georgia and the initiation of a criminal case on charges of “sabotage.”

“I continue to stand with the Georgian people and members of civil society who are striving to preserve Georgia’s democracy,” wrote Jeanne Shaheen.

For reference, the Tbilisi City Court granted the prosecution’s motion to freeze the bank accounts of the following organizations: the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), the Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI), Defenders of Democracy, Georgia’s Democratic Initiative, Safary, and the Social Justice Center. The statement was issued by the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office itself.

The case concerns an investigation by the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office into allegations of sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, aiding hostile activities by a foreign organization or an organization under foreign control, and mobilizing finances for activities aimed against Georgia’s constitutional order and national security.