A former Georgian police official turned whistleblower faces threats of violence and fears persecution as he battles to remain in Germany after his asylum request was denied.

Giorgi Iremashvili, a former senior police official from Georgia, has voiced grave concerns about his safety should he be forced to return to his homeland. Now residing in Germany, Iremashvili revealed he became a target for his former colleagues after exposing systemic abuses within Georgia’s security forces, including alleged corruption, illegal surveillance, and cover-ups of violent crimes. His asylum application hangs in the balance as he claims his life could be in jeopardy due to threats sent by former police colleagues via electronic messages.

Iremashvili left his position in the Georgian police in July 2021 after witnessing a violent crackdown on LGBTQ activists in the capital city, Tbilisi. The disruptions to the Pride Parade, coupled with attacks on journalists and human rights offices, were met with minimal police intervention—a situation he believes was intentionally orchestrated. Following his resignation, citing health concerns, Iremashvili began speaking out publicly on how Georgia’s security forces operate, including allegations of illegal surveillance targeting foreign diplomats and efforts to shield high-profile figures from prosecution.

Since leaving Georgia in spring 2022, Iremashvili has continued to share insider accounts exposing corruption and misconduct. He contributed to investigations strengthening claims against Georgian security officials and shed light on troubling incidents linked to the upper echelons of authority. He argues that whistleblowers like him face severe retaliation akin to mafia-style operations by the Georgian police, where perceived betrayals result in aggressive retribution. Iremashvili now pleads for protection, asserting that his return would result in imprisonment, violence, or even death.