Context

The incidents documented in October 2025 indicate a further intensification of repressive practices related to protest activities. Within the framework of the present monitoring, 18 documented incidents demonstrate that both administrative and criminal prosecution of protest participants actively continued throughout the month. Courts imposed administrative detention on numerous individuals, while the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched mass detentions on the grounds of road obstruction and covering one’s face. 

During the same period, Georgian Dream adopted legislative amendments that significantly tightened restrictions related to the freedoms of assembly and expression. In parallel, a case of a physical attack against activists was also documented. 

Incidents

On 1 October 2025, Judge Nana Shamatava of the Tbilisi City Court granted the Prosecutor’s Office’s motion and imposed pre-trial detention as a preventive measure on Gela Khasaia, an activist of the Coalition for Change. Khasaia was charged under Article 118(2) of the Criminal Code (intentional less serious bodily injury committed by a group), which provides for a prison sentence of between four and six years. 

The activist had been arrested by representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on 29 September. According to his lawyer, the case concerns a conflict that occurred on 1 September near Station Square, involving individuals unknown to Gela Khasaia, which he merely witnessed. Lawyer Omar Purtseladze stated that while Khasaia was held at the police station, he was subjected to verbal abuse and psychological pressure. According to Purtseladze, one police officer reminded Khasaia of an earlier incident in which the officer had promised that Khasaia would be “arrested under criminal law.” 

On 3 October 2025, students who had gathered on Metekhi Bridge to make a public statement were attacked by unidentified individuals and physically assaulted. Igor Narmania, Chairperson of the United National Movement’s Youth Organisation, was injured. The attackers also physically assaulted a minor activist, who was reportedly struck on the head with a piece of metal. 

On 9 October 2025, Judge Giorgi Gelashvili of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced poet Zviad Ratiani to two years’ imprisonment. The Prosecutor’s Office had charged the poet under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code for attacking a police officer; however, the judge reclassified the charge under Article 353(1) of the Criminal Code, which criminalises resistance against a police officer with the purpose of obstructing, terminating, or altering the officer’s activities in maintaining public order. Zviad Ratiani had been arrested on 23 June 2025 after slapping police officer Teimuraz Meshvelashvili outside the Parliament building in Tbilisi. 

On 16 October 2025, Georgian Dream adopted, at third reading, amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences that restrict the forms of protest available to demonstrators. Under the expedited legislative package, a new paragraph 10 was added to Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences, introducing mandatory administrative detention for participants in assemblies or demonstrations who commit any of the following acts: 

• covering one’s face with a mask or by any other means;
• possessing tear gas, nerve agents and/or poisonous substances;
• intentionally creating obstacles to the movement of people or vehicles;
• erecting temporary structures where such structures obstruct police efforts to maintain public order and safety;
• partially or fully blocking the carriageway where, considering the number of participants, the assembly could otherwise be conducted without doing so.

Violation of these provisions is punishable by:

• administrative detention for up to 15 days;
• where the offender is an organiser, administrative detention for up to 20 days.

The amendments also introduced mandatory administrative detention of up to 60 days where participants:

• possess firearms, explosives, flammable materials, radioactive substances, cold weapons, or pyrotechnic items;
• possess objects or substances that are used or could be used to cause harm to the life or health of participants or other persons;
• participate in an assembly or demonstration that has been terminated upon the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs under Article 13(1) of the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations. 

The amendments to the Criminal Code further provide that repeated commission of the above-mentioned acts within one year will constitute a criminal offence punishable by:

• imprisonment for up to one year;
• imprisonment for up to two years if committed repeatedly;
• for minors, a fine, corrective labour, or imprisonment for up to one year;
• where committed by an organiser and resulting in serious consequences, imprisonment for up to four years. 

The amendments further provide that a third violation of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences (failure to comply with or insulting a police officer) constitutes a criminal offence punishable by:

• imprisonment for up to one year for a third offence;
• imprisonment for up to two years if committed repeatedly;
• for minors, a fine, corrective labour, or imprisonment for up to one year. 

On 16 October 2025, Georgian Dream, under the expedited procedure, adopted at third reading a legislative package providing for restrictions on the right of certain individuals to engage in party activities, hold political office, and participate in elections. Under the legislative package, upon the request of the claimant in proceedings before the Constitutional Court, the Constitutional Court may prohibit a person affiliated with a banned political party from: 

• establishing a political party;
• membership in a political party;
• membership in the governing body of a political party;
• holding a party position;
• standing as a candidate in elections (passive electoral right);
• acquiring the mandate of an elected representative or elected public official;
• holding political office;
• heading a constitutional body.

Where requested by the claimant, granting the constitutional claim will also result in:

• termination of the mandate of a Member of Parliament elected through the nomination of the banned political party;
• termination of the mandate of a member of another representative body;
• removal of a person from a party list.

Registration shall be refused to any political party whose electoral list includes a person prohibited from engaging in party activities or holding political office. A political party that includes such a person on its list shall be subject to a fine.

Likewise, it will be prohibited to include such persons on party lists for parliamentary or local self-government elections. The Central Election Commission will refuse to register such parties for either parliamentary or local elections. 

On 17 October 2025, Judge Davit Mamiseishvili of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal reclassified the charge against Giorgi Kuchuashvili from assault on a police officer under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code to resistance to a police officer under Article 353 of the Criminal Code and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment. Kuchuashvili had been arrested during protests against the so-called “Russian Law” in May 2024. On 4 February 2025, he had been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. Following the appellate judgment reducing his sentence to two years, he was released from prison on 26 May. 

On 19 October 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs administratively detained 12 participants in the protest held on Rustaveli Avenue on 18 October. Those detained were: Lara Nachkebia, Nino Svanidze, Levan Margiani, Giorgi Qiasashvili, Davit Gogichaishvili, Saba Khomeriki, Levan Jobava, Tornike Tkhilava, Gela Gamqrelidze, Vakhtang Machavariani, Lasha Chkhartishvili, and Mamuka Kupreishvili. The wave of detentions followed the legislative amendments adopted by Georgian Dream on 16 October to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences, which significantly restricted the forms of protest available to citizens. 

Proceedings concerning the 12 detainees were held before the Tbilisi City Court on 20 October. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused some of the detainees of “artificially blocking the roadway,” while others were charged with covering their faces during the protest. 

Seven of the twelve detainees were sentenced to administrative detention:

• activist Lara Nachkebia – 4 days (covering the face with a mask);
• activist Nino Svanidze – 5 days (blocking the roadway);
• painter Levan Margiani – 6 days (blocking the roadway);
• activist Giorgi Qiasashvili – 6 days (blocking the roadway);
• activist Davit Gogichaishvili – 6 days (covering the face with a mask);
• activist Saba Khomeriki – 8 days (blocking the roadway);
• activist Levan Jobava – 14 days (blocking the roadway). 

On 20 October 2025, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained four participants in the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue: Nino Beruashvili, Saba Japaridze, Tamar Totladze, and Temo Saralidze. Proceedings concerning the detainees were held before the Tbilisi City Court on the same day. The Ministry accused two of them of artificially blocking the roadway and the other two of covering their faces during the protest. 

The court imposed administrative detention on all four detainees:

• activist Nino Beruashvili – 4 days (blocking the roadway);
• actor Saba Japaridze – 6 days (covering the face during the protest);
• activist Tamar Totladze – 6 days (blocking the roadway);
• activist Temo Saralidze – 6 days (covering the face during the protest). 

On 21 October 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs began detaining participants in the Rustaveli Avenue protest from the early morning. During the day, law enforcement officers detained five additional activists: Beka Kurkhuli, Kakha Mikaia, Konstantine Mikaia, Boris Kutsia, and Imeda Kldiashvili. All of them were accused either of covering their faces during the protest or of “artificially blocking the roadway.” The Tbilisi City Court imposed administrative detention on all five activists for violating the newly introduced protest-related regulations. 

Specifically:

• Beka Kurkhuli – 8 days of administrative detention;
• Kakha Mikaia – 14 days of administrative detention;
• Konstantine Mikaia – 14 days of administrative detention;
• Imeda Kldiashvili – 9 days of administrative detention.

On 22 October 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement. According to the Ministry, during the previous three days, after the new law restricting freedom of expression entered into force, police detained 53 individuals, more than 40 of whom had already been found to have committed administrative offences. Within the framework of the present monitoring, 22 cases were documented. In addition, between 19 and 21 October, the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained three journalists together with activists. Based on the data published by the Ministry, it was not possible to identify an additional 28 detained persons.

On 22 October 2025, during a protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the Ministry of Internal Affairs administratively detained up to 20 citizens. The wave of detentions followed the amendments adopted by Georgian Dream on 16 October to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences, which significantly restricted the forms of protest available to citizens. The Ministry of Internal Affairs began administrative detentions at the Rustaveli protest on 18 October on the grounds of unlawful blocking of the roadway and covering one’s face.

On 22 October 2025, 48-year-old Tamar Lortkipanidze was arrested during the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue for climbing onto a patrol police vehicle.

Footage circulated by citizens shows Tamar, together with several other protest participants, first sitting on the roadway, then standing up, spreading her arms, and attempting to stop the movement of vehicles. Approximately two minutes later, a patrol police vehicle appears in the footage from Freedom Square. Tamar then stands several metres in front of the police vehicle and spreads her arms. A few seconds later, she runs towards the patrol vehicle, climbs onto it, and stands on its roof. Shortly afterwards, Tamar Lortkipanidze climbs down from the vehicle on her own and again stands on the roadway with her arms spread. For this act, the Ministry of Internal Affairs initially accused her of an offence under Article 239 of the Criminal Code. However, on 24 October, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia aggravated the charge and now accuses the activist of violence and attacking a police vehicle.

Tamar Lortkipanidze is charged with:

• violence causing physical pain to the victim, under Article 126(1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia;
• attacking a police vehicle in connection with the official activities of a police officer, an offence under Article 353¹(1) of the Criminal Code.

If convicted, she faces four to seven years’ imprisonment. As for the preventive measure, on 25 October Judge Nana Shamatava imposed pre-trial detention on Tamar Lortkipanidze.

On 22 October 2025, disability rights advocate Gia Jvarsheishvili was detained during the protest on Rustaveli Avenue. On 24 October, Judge Zviad Tsekvava of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced the detained activist to 10 days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused him of petty hooliganism and failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer. 

On 22 October 2025, during the protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) administratively detained approximately 20 individuals. The wave of detentions followed the amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences adopted by Georgian Dream on 16 October, which significantly restricted the forms of protest available to citizens. The MIA began administratively detaining participants in the Rustaveli Avenue protests on 18 October on the grounds of unlawfully blocking the roadway and covering their faces.

On 24 October 2025, police detained several activists for participating in the protest held on Rustaveli Avenue on 23 October and for blocking the avenue. Those detained included:

• Bacho Kimutsadze – member of the Coalition for Change;
• Natia Letodiani – member of the Droa party;
• Davit Mshvenieradze – law student at Ilia State University (sentenced to 6 days of administrative detention);
• Nino Laghidze – environmental education specialist;
• Zura Tsetskhladze – father of prisoner of conscience Zviad Tsetskhladze;
• Tengo Kirtadze – member of the Federalists party;
• Anuka Gamsakhurdia – civil activist;
• Dani Maghradze – civil activist;
• Zviad Kvaratskhelia – writer, publisher, and television presenter;
• Giorgi Liponava – film director and co-founder of Formula TV;
• Achi Gochitashvili – student (sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention);
• Vaso Beridze – student;
• Natia Gogava – civil activist;
• Natalia Slepakova – civil activist;
• Davit Chkadua – winner of the second student season of the television programme Book Shelf;
• Giorgi Melitauri (sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention). 

On 29 October 2025, Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili of the Tbilisi City Court replaced the preventive measure imposed on teacher Nino Datashvili from pre-trial detention to bail in the amount of GEL 5,000. Datashvili had been charged under Article 353²(3) of the Criminal Code of Georgia (assault on a public official/court bailiff in the course of performing official duties). Following the decision, the teacher and activist was released from the penitentiary institution. She was given 30 days to pay the bail.

The Prosecutor’s Office announced its motion to replace the preventive measure only a few minutes before the hearing commenced. Datashvili’s lawyers had also requested the replacement of pre-trial detention, arguing that her health had deteriorated significantly while in detention and that she urgently required spinal and cervical surgery. Due to her deteriorating health condition, Datashvili was unable to attend the hearing in person and participated remotely. 

On 29 October 2025, Judge Lela Tsagareishvili sentenced researcher Shalva Koghuashvili to six days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused him of an administrative offence under Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences for artificially blocking the roadway during the protest on 27 October. 

Between 27 and 31 October 2025, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 29 citizens were detained during protests on Rustaveli Avenue over a five-day period. The Ministry accused them of unlawfully blocking Rustaveli Avenue, conduct which, under the legislative package adopted at third reading on 16 October, is punishable by mandatory administrative detention without the possibility of a fine.