Attempt to Restrict Artist’s Work During Proceedings at Tbilisi City Court
Given the ban on photography, video, and audio recording in courtrooms, sketches produced by artists remain one of the few ways to visually document legal proceedings. Despite this, during the March 18 hearing for Anton Chechin, Sergei Kukharchuk, and Artyom Gribul, Judge Nato Khujadze attempted to restrict an artist’s work, directing that "faces should not be flaunted." After defense lawyers clarified that sketching is not prohibited—a point the prosecutor also conceded—the artist was allowed to continue working, though with the restriction that faces not be depicted.
Tbilisi City Court Rules Against Ousted Public Broadcaster Journalist Nino Zautashvili
Tbilisi City Court Judge Ekaterine Eliadze has dismissed the lawsuit filed against the Public Broadcaster by Nino Zautashvili, a journalist and presenter who was fired from the channel.
Journalists’ Accounts Frozen Without Prior Notice of Fines
On April 15, according to TV Pirveli, the bank accounts of Maka Chikhladze, a journalist for the channel's Saturday broadcast, were frozen. On social media, Irakli Datunashvili (known online as Leo Nafta), the Georgia editor for the online publication JamNews, also wrote that his bank accounts had been frozen. According to his information, the basis for the freeze is cited as a fine from October 15, the existence of which he had not been informed of until now.
Journalist Davit Chabashvili Receives Death Threats
According to TV Formula, journalist Davit Chabashvili is being threatened with death. Media reports indicate that the journalist has been receiving threatening messages from an individual identified as Gia Kikolashvili-Chanturia. Reportedly, the person behind the threats is also aware of the journalist's home address.
Communications Commission Issues Written Warnings to Four TV Stations
The Communications Commission has issued written warnings to four television stations, including two pro-government channels, for violating the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting. The channels involved are the government-critical outlets Formula and TV Pirveli, as well as pro-government broadcasters POSTV and Imedi. The Commission issued the warnings based on violations of articles concerning content regulation.
TV Formula Journalist Liza Tsitsishvili’s Accounts Frozen
The bank accounts of TV Formula journalist Liza Tsitsishvili have been frozen. According to the journalist, it was discovered that she had been fined 5,000 GEL on the grounds of "artificially blocking the road" while performing her professional duties on Rustaveli Avenue on September 10, 2025.
Azerbaijani Journalist Afghan Sadygov Detained, Fined, and Expelled from Georgia
On the night of April 4, 2026, Azerbaijani journalist Afghan Sadygov was detained in Georgia. Information regarding his arrest was initially released by his wife, who published surveillance footage showing law enforcement officers attempting to cut through the door of Sadygov’s home.
Georgian Dream Parliament Speaker Attacks and Threatens Independent Online Media Outlets Again
On April 2, 2026, during a briefing held in Parliament, the Speaker of the Parliament from "Georgian Dream," Shalva Papuashvili, referred to online outlets Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Tabula, Publika, and Netgazeti as "foreign-funded party propaganda groups." He accused them of interfering in the activities of the Holy Synod of the Georgian Patriarchate and threatened them with "consequences."
“Parole Board” Denies Early Release for Mzia Amaghlobeli
The "Parole Board" (the Local Council of the Special Penitentiary Service for the Review of Convicts' Cases) has denied the early release of prisoner Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder of the publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
