The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Division for Combating Hate Speech accuses Giorgi Melitauri of an administrative offence over a comment posted on Facebook. According to the Ministry, through the comment, Melitauri verbally insulted photographer Levan Zazadze.

The case is to be heard by Judge Nino Enukidze at Tbilisi City Court. The hearing was scheduled for 22 June; however, due to the failure of a representative of the body that drew up the administrative offence report to appear, the hearing was postponed until 30 June.

Both Giorgi Melitauri and Levan Zazadze deny that any insult took place. According to Melitauri, Zazadze is his friend, and they have been participating in protest rallies together for more than a year. Zazadze describes the case as absurd and states that he finds the state’s attempt to “protect his dignity” on his behalf unacceptable.

The case concerns a comment posted under a Facebook post by Mtavari Arkhi, which followed information about the attack on Levan Zazadze and civil activist Tamuna Giorgadze before the “Saturday March” on 6 June. According to Zazadze, neither he nor Tamuna Giorgadze has been questioned to date as part of the investigation into the attack, while administrative proceedings over the comment were initiated swiftly.

The Division for Combating Hate Speech has been operating within the Ministry of Internal Affairs since early June. According to MIA data, within two weeks of starting its work, the division submitted approximately 60 cases to court.