Cases of Fining and Detaining Media Representatives for “Blocking the Road and Sidewalk” While Covering or Participating in Pro-European Protests (October 2024 – March 2026) [Updated]

Since October 26, 2024, following the parliamentary elections and the start of pro-European protests in Georgia, journalists, photographers, and camera operators have repeatedly become targets of repression. Cases have been documented where journalists were fined for “artificially blocking the road” while performing their professional duties. Under the same grounds, journalists are also being fined during the so-called “Saturday Marches,” even when the protest takes the form of a moving procession.

Starting in December 2024, after the protests became continuous, “Georgian Dream” increased the fine amounts: according to amendments made to the “Administrative Offenses Code of Georgia,” the fine for illegal road blocking increased tenfold—from 500 GEL to 5,000 GEL. Since October 16, 2025, “Georgian Dream” further tightened legislation regarding marches and assemblies, at which point road blocking carried a penalty of administrative detention for up to 15 days. Following the introduction of detention into the law, participants in the continuous protests turned to an alternative form of demonstration, standing on the sidewalk in front of the Parliament of Georgia instead of blocking the road. On December 12, 2025, “Georgian Dream” introduced another amendment to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations, according to which gathering on sidewalks and pedestrian walkways also became punishable by up to 15 days of administrative detention.

Administrative detention for “road blocking” has also been imposed on journalists, some of whom were performing their professional duties on-site. CMIS describes the cases of detained journalists at the following link: Cases of Journalist Detentions in Georgia (2024-2025).

According to publicly available information, from October 26, 2024, to the present, a total of 40 fines were imposed on journalists for “artificially blocking the road.” Additionally, in 14 cases, administrative detentions occurred for blocking the road and “standing on the sidewalk,” and in 4 cases, a protocol was drawn up on the same grounds.

Under the legislation in force from October 26, 2024, to October 2025:

• 40 fines were imposed for “artificially blocking the road”;
• Fines were issued against a total of 30 journalists; some of them received more than one fine;
• 9 fines were canceled as a result of appeals;
• 25 cases are still under review;
• In 3 cases, the fine amount was paid;
• 1 case is under appeal in the appellate court;
• 1 case is under appeal in the Strasbourg court.

1. Keti Khutsishvili (Netgazeti): Notified CMIS that she was fined twice for “artificially blocking the road” while on duty. Her fines (issued April 2 and June 13, 2025) totaled 10,000 GEL. She only learned of them at the end of 2025 after inquiring with authorities herself. Both are being appealed.
2. Zuka Khidashvili (Radio Liberty): Fined 5,000 GEL on September 4, 2025, for “road blocking” while filming. A judge eventually dismissed the case.
3. Mindia Gabadze (Publika): Discovered via a hotline on February 5, 2026, that he had been fined 5,000 GEL for covering a protest on July 29, 2025. He intends to appeal.
4. Mariam Nikuradze (OC Media): OC Media’s founder and photographer Mariam Nikuradze was fined four times by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on charges of “artificially blocking the road” — on March 11, March 15, April 2, and April 3. In total, the journalist has been imposed a fine of 20,000 GEL. Mariam Nikuradze appealed all the fines. Ten months after the appeal, none of her complaints have been reviewed.
5. Anamaria Gelitashvili (Formula TV): Formula TV journalist Anamaria Gelitashvili was fined twice, for a total of 10,000 GEL. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses the journalist of “artificially blocking the road” during the protest rallies of May 6, 2025, and March 27. According to Anamaria Gelitashvili, in both cases she was performing journalistic work, and there is video evidence confirming this. After the appeal, one fine was revoked for the journalist. As for the second, she has not been notified.
6. Irakli Datunashvili (JamNews): JamNews copywriter Irakli Datunashvili was fined twice for “artificially blocking the road” during the rallies held on February 28 and March 6, 2025. The total amount of his fines is 10,000 GEL. He appealed the fines to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the proceedings have not yet been completed.
7. Mariam Kavshbaia (Publika): Online media “Publika” journalist Mariam Kavshbaia has been fined twice — on February 3, 2025, and March 14. The total amount of her fines is 10,000 GEL. During the hearing of the February 3 fine case, Mariam Kavshbaia presented evidence to the court, including photos taken that day and materials published on Publika’s Facebook page. In addition, the journalist told CMIS that even in the video footage submitted by the Ministry itself, it can be seen that she was working at the time of being fined. Despite this, the court upheld the fine and ordered her to pay 5,000 GEL. The journalist paid the fine. As for the second fine, court hearings on this case have not yet begun.
8. Irina Makaridze (Khronika+): Fined 5,000 GEL in April 2025. The fine was overturned after appeal.
9. Luka Katsitadze (Tabula): Fined 5,000 GEL on April 12, 2025, while working on Rustaveli Avenue. The journalist appealed the fine.
10. Eliso Jariashvili (Formula TV): Formula TV journalist Eliso Jariashvili was notified on April 10, 2025, that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road.” The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses her of artificially blocking the road on March 12, 2025, while performing her professional duties. According to Eliso Jariashvili, the materials sent by the Ministry itself show that at the time of being fined, the journalist was on Rustaveli Avenue with camera operators and a fellow journalist, recording an interview. Jariashvili appealed the fine; however, the case has not yet been reviewed.
11. Goga Chanadiri (Photographer): Photographer Goga Chanadiri was fined 5,000 GEL on February 7, 2025. The photographer appealed the fine. On April 10, Tbilisi City Court judge Nino Enukidze found the photographer to be an offender and upheld the fine. The photographer was performing his work duties at the protest and considers the fine unfair. He appealed the first court’s decision to the Court of Appeals.
12. Tozu Gulmamedli (Mautskabeli): Online media “Mautskebeli” journalist Tozu Gulmamedli has been fined twice, for a total of 10,000 GEL. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses him of “artificially blocking the road” during the protests on February 16 and August 30, 2025. After the appeal, the Ministry of Internal Affairs revoked one fine, while in the second case, his complaint was not upheld. The journalist raised the money with the help of the public and paid the fine.
13. Khatia Ghoghoberidze (Media April): “Media April” editor-in-chief Khatia Ghogoberidze was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs while performing her professional duties at the protest on March 29, 2025. The official notice served to Khatia Ghogoberidze does not indicate that she was performing professional activities — she is identified as a protest participant. The journalist appealed the fine. Her complaint has not yet been reviewed.
14. Nino Dalakishvili (Voice of America): Voice of America’s Georgia correspondent Nino Dalakishvili was fined 5,000 GEL on charges of “blocking the road.” The journalist was working live from the area near the Parliament. She received the police notification on March 25, 2025. The journalist appealed the fine; however, the case has not yet been reviewed.
15. Nino Baidauri (Netgazeti): Netgazeti journalist Nino Baidauri was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on March 21, 2025, for “artificially blocking Rustaveli Avenue.” At the time of being fined, the journalist was performing her professional duties, which is why she appealed the fine; however, the review of her case has not yet been completed.
16. Merab Merkviladze (Radio Tbilisi): “Radio Tbilisi” journalist Merab Merkviladze was fined twice, for a total of 10,000 GEL. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses him of “artificially blocking the road” on March 18 and 19. The journalist appealed the fine. The case has not yet been reviewed.
17. Giorgi Mosiashvili (TV Pirveli): Formula TV photojournalist Giorgi Mosiashvili was fined twice by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, for a total of 10,000 GEL. The police accuse the photojournalist of blocking Rustaveli Avenue on February 21 and March 11. In a post published on social media, Mosiashvili noted that at the time the fine was imposed, he was performing his professional duties.
18. Nano Chakvetadze (Formula TV): Formula TV journalist Nano Chakvetadze was fined 5,000 GEL. She is accused of “artificially blocking the road” on March 13, 2025. At the time of being fined, she was performing her professional duties on Rustaveli Avenue, working live, specifically providing Formula TV viewers with information about citizens fined at the protest. The journalist appealed the fine; The sanction was revoked.
19. Irakli Tabliashvili (Formula TV): Formula TV journalist and presenter Irakli Tabliashvili is accused of “artificially blocking the road” on February 24, 2025. He was fined 5,000 GEL. The journalist appealed the fine; however, he has not been informed about the review of the case or its outcome.
20. Beka Beridze (Project 64): The Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Project 64 online media representative Beka Beridze 5,000 GEL on February 11, 2025, on charges of “artificially blocking the road.” Beridze appealed the fine within the Ministry, but the Ministry did not uphold his complaint. The decision is currently being appealed in court.
21. Gela Bochikashvili (Radio Liberty): “Radio Liberty” journalist Gela Bochikashvili was fined 5,000 GEL on February 21, 2025, for “artificially blocking the road.” The journalist was covering a protest near the Parliament building. After the appeal, the fine was revoked.
22. Basti Mgaloblishvili (Publika): Publika journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili was fined during the protest on February 14, 2025. Video material published by the journalist confirms that she was performing her professional duties and was wearing a press badge. Despite this, the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not uphold the journalist’s complaint. Following this, Basti Mgaloblishvili appealed to the court. However, the case has not yet been reviewed.
23. Nino Tsverava (Studio Monitor): “Studio Monitor” journalist Nino Tverava was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on February 17, 2025. The journalist submitted evidence of performing her professional duties to the Ministry, after which the fine was revoked.
24. Nino Shubitidze (Studio Monitor): Another “Studio Monitor” journalist, Nino Shubitidze, was fined 5,000 GEL on February 17. After the appeal, the journalist’s fine was revoked.
25. Giorgi Diasamidze (Radio Liberty): “Radio Liberty” journalist Giorgi Diasamidze was accused of “artificially blocking the road” for covering the protest on February 17, 2025. On February 21, he was notified of a 5,000 GEL fine; however, the fine was later revoked.
26. Beka Jikurashvili (Tabula): Tabula journalist Beka Jikurashvili was fined on February 14, 2025, on charges of “artificially blocking the road” while performing his professional duties. According to Tabula, he was wearing a press badge. The fine was later revoked.
27. Natia Gogsadze (Mtavari Arkhi): “Mtavari Arkhi” journalist and presenter Natia Gogsadze was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on February 2, 2025, at a pro-European protest, on charges of “artificially blocking the road.” The journalist first appealed the fine in the City Court; after the fine was not revoked, she appealed to the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals also left the decision unchanged. Natia Gogsadze has now filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.
28. Vakho Karel (Media April): “Media April” photojournalist Vakho Karel is accused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of “artificially blocking the road.” According to a Ministry representative, “it has been established that Vakho Karel was present on Rustaveli Avenue on January 26, 2025.” When the photojournalist noted that he might have been there for journalistic work, the Ministry representative responded: “You must prove this by presenting the relevant documentation, on the basis of which the court will make a decision.” The case has not yet been reviewed.
29. Eka Kevanishvili (Radio Liberty): “Radio Liberty” journalist Eka Kevanishvili was accused by the police of blocking the road on Rustaveli Avenue on January 22, 2025. The journalist was filming video at the protest together with a camera operator. After the appeal, the fine was revoked.
30. Davit Kekenadze (Euronews Georgia): Euronews Georgian Bureau journalist David Kekenadze was fined 5,000 GEL by the Tbilisi City Court on January 3, 2025, during a pro-European protest, on charges of “artificially blocking the road.” The reporter did not appeal the decision to a higher authority and paid the fine.

Administrative detention protocols were issued for media representatives in a total of 18 cases for covering or participating in protests from November 2025 under stricter legislation.

• Out of these 18 cases, 14 involved the administrative detention of media representatives. In 4 cases, administrative proceedings were initiated, of which 2 cases were discontinued by a judge’s decision.

• Of the 14 detentions, 11 resulted in administrative imprisonment, while 3 individuals were released the same or the following day; one of these was fined for disobedience to the police.

• Three cases are still awaiting a court decision (in one of these, the individual was detained and released, while in the other two, only administrative proceedings were initiated).

1. Mariam Kuprava, a journalist for the online publication “Tabula,” isaccused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue. This concerns a protest on February 7, 2026, during which Mariam Kuprava was performing her journalistic duties, covering the “Saturday March.” “Mariam Kuprava artificially blocked the traffic lanes,” states the MIA protocol dated February 9. Her case is still under review and carries a potential administrative detention of up to 15 days.

2. Mariam Dzidaria, a journalist for the online publication “Netgazeti,” isaccused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue. This concerns the “Saturday March” protest on January 31, 2026, where Mariam Dzidaria was performing her professional duties. Her case is still under review and she faces up to 15 days of administrative detention.

3. Photographer Giorgi Tarkhnishvili isaccused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of obstructing pedestrians by standing on the sidewalk while performing his professional duties. This concerns the protest on December 18, 2025, during which the photographer was carrying out his journalistic work. On March 27, the judge dismissed the case against Giorgi Tarkhnishvili regarding “standing on the sidewalk.”

4. A second case wasinitiated by the Ministry of Internal Affairs against photographer Zuka Khidashvili on December 18, 2025. This time, the MIA accused him of “standing on the sidewalk.” The judge dismissed the case.

5. On November 22, TV Pirveli journalist Giorgi Mamniashvili wasdetained near Ingorokva Street during a protest in Tbilisi. At the time of detention, he was performing his professional duties. The court fined him 3,000 GEL for disobeying the police.

6. On November 12, Azerbaijani journalist Afqan Sadigov, living in exile in Georgia, wasdetained for the second time under administrative procedures for blocking the road. He was sentenced to 7 days of detention.

7. On November 5, Formula TV journalist Liza Tsitsishvili wasdetained. She was released approximately ten minutes later and an apology was issued. At the time of detention, she was performing professional duties.

8. On November 3, MediaChecker online platform journalist Ninia Kakabadze wasdetained. She was covering a protest at the time. Court proceedings in her case are still ongoing.

9. On October 25, Formula TV operator Nika Pataraia wasdetained and the court sentenced him to 4 days of detention.

10. On October 24, writer and publisher, chief editor ofIntelect, and Formula TV presenter Zviad Kvaratskhelia was detained. He was sentenced to 3 days of administrative detention.

11. On October 24, Formula TV founder and director Giorgi Lifonava was detained for participating in a protest. He was sentenced to 3 days of administrative detention.

12. On October 24, Publika.ge journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili wasdetained. She was released after several hours. She was performing professional duties and covering the protest.

13. On October 22, journalist Lika Basilaya-Shavgulidze, a member of the Public Broadcaster’s Supervisory Board, wasdetained. She was sentenced to 5 days of detention.

14. On October 22, Azerbaijani journalist Afqan Sadigov, living in exile in Georgia, wasdetained. He was sentenced to 14 days of detention.

15. On October 21, former Public Broadcaster journalist Vasil-Ivanov Chikovani wasdetained. He was sentenced to 7 days of administrative detention.

16. On October 21, TV journalist Cira Zhvania wasdetained. She was sentenced to 10 days of detention.

17. On October 20, Formula TV journalist Keta Tsitskishvili wasdetained. She was sentenced to 5 days of detention.

18. On October 19, Formula TV presenter and journalist Vakho Sanaya wasdetained. He was sentenced to 6 days of detention.