According to civil activist Nata Peradze, administrative offence proceedings have been initiated against her in connection with a post she published on social media concerning Nino Tsilosani, Vice Speaker of the Parliament representing the “Georgian Dream” party. The proceedings were initiated under Article 173¹⁶ of the Code of Administrative Offences. Nata Peradze is accused of insulting Nino Tsilosani in her capacity as a holder of a state-political office.

Article 173¹⁶ provides for a sanction in the form of a fine ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period of up to 45 days. According to the media outlet Batumelebi, the administrative offence report drawn up by a detective includes, as evidentiary material, a screenshot of Nata Peradze’s Facebook post in which she wrote: “Nino Tsilosani’s breed.”

It should be recalled that one day earlier it became known that Ruska Mchedlidze, a participant in civil protest activities, was also subjected to legal action over a post published on social media, following a complaint filed by Nino Jgharkava, a person closely associated with the “Georgian Dream” party. Earlier, in early January, activist Tako Gvilia likewise faced legal action after a complaint was filed by an officer of the Zugdidi Patrol Police in relation to a post published on a social network.The practice of initiating court proceedings against citizens on the basis of posts published on social media commenced after the “Georgian Dream” party adopted, in June 2025 and under an expedited legislative procedure, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression.

The amendments primarily concerned the regulation of defamation. In particular, the statutory definition of defamation was revised by removing the element of harm, which had previously constituted an essential prerequisite for qualifying a statement as defamatory. Shortly after the amendments entered into force, six journalists were subjected to administrative fines for opinions expressed on social media. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association assessed these amendments as constituting an “unjustified restriction on freedom of expression, creating a chilling effect and aimed at instilling fear within society in order to deter individuals from critically evaluating the actions of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and its political representatives.”