Anri Okhanashvili

Anri Okhanashvili (born 10 June 1985) is a Georgian politician and lawyer. Since 2020, he has been a member of the Parliament of Georgia of the 10th convocation by party list, election bloc: Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia. He also was member of 9th convocation of Parliament of Georgia (2016-2020).

Anri Okhanashvili holds a doctorate in law from the Humboldt University in Germany, having worked under the supervision of Professor Martin Heger. He also holds a Masters in Law from the University of Jena.

Anri Okhanashvili is the Chair of the Legal Issues Committee. As a prominent politician, Okhanashvili has drawn attention for physical attacks on opposition figures. In the summer of 2022, Okhanashvili together with other ruling party MPs assaulted a founder of a critical TV station at a reception of the US Embassy. Okhanashvili is quoted as alleging insulting remarks by Tsereteli and "I responded to him as he deserved." In April 2023, Anri Okhanashvili slapped Levan Khabeishvili, the leader of the opposition UNM party, in the face, during a committee meeting.

Anri Okhanashvili has repeatedly been criticized for violence and an authoritarian style in the Legal Issues committee, by civil society representatives and media watchdogs. In April 2024, Anri Okhanashvili has been criticized by more than 20 Georgian civil society organization for “abusing power and restricting the ability of lawmakers, guaranteed by the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament, to oppose, ask tough questions and receive answers.”

In April and May 2024, Anri Okhanashvili has been one of the main protagonists in driving forward Georgia's so-called law on "transparency of foreign influence", often also described as "the Russian law", and in this context has been dismissive of international appeals to amend or repeal the law, including of those by the Venice Commission.