Ten Citizens Detained near Tbilisi City Assembly over a Banner
On 26 July, police detained activist Tornike Toshkhua near the Tbilisi City Assembly building. The reason for the detention was the protest banner displayed by him, which read: “Is Bidzina a d***? Yes - No.” Footage of Toshkhua’s detention shows several police officers approaching him as he stands near the City Assembly, after which they place him in a police vehicle and take him away.
MIA Hate Speech Monitoring Division | Ministry of Interior
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Detention→Administrative Detention
Giorgi Akhobadze Subjected to 25 Days of Administrative Detention over a Public Statement
The court imposed 25 days of administrative detention on doctor Giorgi Akhobadze, a participant in the continuous protest rallies. The decision was delivered by Judge Manuchar Tsatsua.
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Verbal Threats or Pressure
Several Citizens Verbally Confronted Protest Participants on Kote Abkhazi Street
On 22 July,a verbal confrontation took place on Kote Abkhazi Street between several citizens and participants of a protest march. According to reports, the protest participants were moving along Kote Abkhazi Street as part of a march when several individuals confronted them.
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Public Discrediting or Stigmatization of Activists
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Causing Physical Harm
Several Individuals Attacked Comedian Onise Okriashvili near His Home Following a Discrediting Campaign
On 22 July, civil activist and comedian Onise Okriashvili was attacked near his home by several individuals. Publicly circulated video footage shows several individuals physically assaulting Okriashvili near his home. Following the attack, Okriashvili was taken to a medical clinic.
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Public Discrediting or Stigmatization of Activists
Pro-Government Channels Launch Campaign against Comedian Onise Okriashvili and YouTube Project “Punchline Therapy”
A discrediting campaign has been launched in pro-government media outlets against comedian and activist Onise Okriashvili, as well as the YouTube project “Punchline Therapy.” The campaign followed one episode of the show, in which Okriashvili is one of the co-hosts, together with Anastasia Bendukidze and Irakli Jabua.
Patrol Police Called to Train Carrying Parents of Protest Detainees to Batumi over Banners
On 19 July, parents of persons detained during protest rallies travelled by train to Batumi to distribute newspapers. Before departure, they reported that the parents travelling to Batumi had been stopped because they were carrying banners and photos of their detained children.
Civil Activist Isako Devidze Enters Plea Agreement Providing for One Year of Imprisonment
On 13 July 2026, it was reported that a plea agreement had been concluded with civil activist Isako Devidze in a case concerning contempt of court. Under the terms of the plea agreement, he was sentenced to one year of imprisonment. The agreement was approved by Judge Nino Nachkebia of Tbilisi City Court.
Court | MIA Hate Speech Monitoring Division | Ministry of Interior
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Financial Sanctions→Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
Musician Maia Darsmelidze Fined GEL 2,800 on Grounds of Allegedly Insulting a Person Affiliated with Georgian Dream
On 10 July 2026, Tbilisi City Court fined musician Maia Darsmelidze GEL 2,800 over a Facebook post concerning Nino Jgharkava, a person affiliated with Georgian Dream. The decision was delivered by Judge Manuchar Tsatsua of Tbilisi City Court.
Civil Activist Nino Kalandia’s Bank Account Seized for the Second Time
On 7 July 2026, the personal bank account of civil activist Nino Kalandia, the mother of a child with a disability, was seized for the second time in connection with her participation in protest rallies.According to Kalandia, five additional fines issued against her have been submitted to the National Bureau of Enforcement.
Court | MIA Hate Speech Monitoring Division | Ministry of Interior
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Financial Sanctions→Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
Writer and Protest Participant Beka Kurkhuli Fined over Opinions Expressed on Social Media
On 6 July 2026, writer and protest participant Beka Kurkhuli was fined GEL 3,000 on the grounds of allegedly publishing insulting posts on social media. The decision was delivered by Judge Nino Enukidze of Tbilisi City Court.
