Judge Zviad Tsekvava of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist Nuca Makharadze, who was detained on 14 January 2026 during a demonstration held near the Embassy of Iran in Tbilisi, liable for administrative offences and imposed a fine of 4,500 GEL. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) alleged that the activist had failed to comply with a lawful order of a police officer (Article 173(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences) and had verbally insulted a police officer (Article 173(2)).

These provisions of the Code of Administrative Offences provide for a fine ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period of up to 60 days. The repeated commission of the same offences entails a fine ranging from 3,500 to 6,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period ranging from 7 to 60 days.

On 14 January, a demonstration in solidarity with the Iranian people took place near the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi. According to Radio Liberty, prior to Makharadze’s detention, demonstrators were expressing their protest by crossing the road from one side to the other when the traffic light turned green at the intersection near the embassy. Subsequently, as explained by the police, the traffic light “malfunctioned,” and Makharadze began crossing the road at that moment.

The first hearing in Makharadze’s case was held on 16 January. During the hearing, she reportedly felt unwell. Makharadze also raised allegations of ill-treatment while being held in a temporary detention facility.