Voices of the Silk Road with Dr. Anna Dolidze

Today I joined the mothers of political prisoners in their weekly effort to raise awareness about their sons and daughters who are currently imprisoned for participating in pro-democracy protests. We distributed newspapers and spoke with people in Tbilisi to remind everyone that this fight is not only legal or political — it is deeply human. Their letters from prison carry more hope than the situation outside, and their strength inspires us to continue. This movement is a reminder that the fight for freedom in Georgia is alive.

Today I’m diving into a very important and, honestly, worrying topic — the possible banning of opposition parties in Georgia. Georgian Dream and Bidzina Ivanishvili have repeatedly mentioned the idea of banning parties they call “foreign agents.” In this episode, I analyze what that really means, what scenarios could unfold, and what consequences this could have for Georgia’s democracy, our EU candidate status, investments, and relations with democratic countries. With the team at LYNX, we’ve developed six detailed scenarios using a new foresight methodology — a first for Georgia — to understand how this situation might develop. From a total ban of opposition parties, to selective bans, creation of puppet opposition groups, and even using this issue as leverage in negotiations with the EU and the US — I break it all down. This topic is not just about politics — it’s about the future of Georgia and the kind of country we want to live in.

📢 In this second episode, I talk about the ongoing court proceedings in Tbilisi against peaceful protesters who were unjustly detained. From inside the courthouse, I share what I witnessed — the overcrowded cells, rushed hearings, and the silencing of media.

📢 In this first episode, I talk about Georgia’s ongoing authoritarian crackdown, the recent political arrests, and the country’s struggle for democracy. As a Georgian lawyer and politician, I share a firsthand perspective from Tbilisi on what’s really happening right now.