Activist Mikheil Zakareishvili writes on social media that he has been summoned to court on 3 September based on materials prepared by the newly established “Division for Combating Hate Speech” within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to Zakareishvili, the case concerns three posts he published on Facebook. His post indicates that insulting or critical formulations directed at various public and politically active figures were assessed as an administrative offence.

Zakareishvili ironically listed the types of statements that may become grounds for administrative proceedings. Among them, he mentioned comments addressed to Tengiz Chanturidze, Vato Shakarashvili, Levan Makhashvili, Irakli Kobakhidze, and other individuals.

Administrative disputes against citizens over opinions expressed in public spaces are being initiated on the basis of reports drawn up by the newly established “Division for Combating Hate Speech” within the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The new division has been operating within the MIA since 1 June. Its task is to monitor and proactively identify statements disseminated in public spaces that degrade human dignity, are insulting, or contain hate speech, if they show signs of an administrative offence.