On June 2, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs rejected the appeal and fined Beqa Beridze, a graphic designer from 64, 5,000 GEL.
According to media reports, the Ministry accuses Beqa Beridze of blocking the road on February 11, 2025. Beridze appealed the fine imposed by the Ministry, but the appeal was not upheld. A representative of 64 stated that the decision will be challenged in court.
Since November 28, 2024, around 36 media representatives have been fined while performing their professional duties. Most of these cases are currently under review. So far, two journalists have been found in violation of the law by the court and have been issued administrative fines.
On May 30, 2025, for the third time, journalists were restricted from entering the Tbilisi City Court building with their equipment and carrying out their work. Journalists who did not have prior permission to report from inside the courtroom were not allowed into the building, even though such prior permission is not required for journalists to work outside the courtroom.
Today, the court was reviewing the case of opposition political leader Nika Melia, who is being prosecuted for failing to appear before a parliamentary investigative commission.
According to journalists, correspondents carrying photo and/or video equipment were not allowed to enter the courtroom; only those without any recording gear were permitted to attend the hearing.
The court’s press office said the restrictions were related to security measures:
“Due to security concerns, there are restrictions today. Only media outlets that have been granted access to directly cover the proceedings will be allowed into the court building. We cannot provide any further information.”
On May 30, 2025, Judge Lela Tsagareishvili of the Tbilisi City Court reviewed the case of journalist and TV host Natia Gogsadze and fined her 5,000 GEL, despite the journalist’s claim that she was fulfilling her professional duties and had submitted relevant evidence. Judge Tsagareishvili is on Estonia’s list of sanctioned individuals.
Natia Gogsadze received the notice of the fine back when she was still a host at the TV company “Mtavari Arkhi,” on February 13, 2025. According to the administrative offense report, the Ministry of Internal Affairs accused the journalist of blocking the road during a pro-European protest on February 2, 2025.
Just a few days earlier, on May 23, Judge Zviad Tsekvava also imposed a 5,000 GEL fine on Mariam Kavshbaia, a journalist from the online outlet “Publika.”
Since November 28, 2024, during the period of pro-European protests, publicly available information indicates that there have been more than 35 instances where administrative reports were filed against journalists present at or working during the demonstrations.
On May 31, 2025, the editor-in-chief of the news agency “April,” Khatia Ghoghobersidze, published a post on Facebook stating that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for “blocking the road” while performing her professional duties.
According to the journalist, she was contacted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on April 4 and was informed about the imposed fine. After Khatia Ghoghobersidze explained to the police that she was engaged in journalistic work during a march and even sent them the material she had prepared about the event, the police requested time to investigate the matter. However, despite her explanations and the submitted evidence, she was issued a formal fine notice.
Khatia Ghoghobersidze plans to take legal action against the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to publicly available sources, since November 28, 2024, around 35 administrative fines have been issued. Most of these cases are still under review, both by the Ministry and the courts. So far, two journalists have been found guilty by the court and were fined administratively.
On May 31, 2025, Khatia Gogoberidze, editor-in-chief of the news agency April, posted on the social media platform Facebook that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road” while performing her professional duties.
According to the journalist, the Ministry of Internal Affairs contacted her on April 4 to inform her of the fine. After Gogoberidze explained to the police that she was engaged in journalistic activity during the march and even provided the materials she had prepared about the event, the police requested time to review the matter. Despite her explanations and the evidence submitted, the journalist was still issued a formal notice of the fine.
Khatia Gogoberidze plans to pursue legal action against the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On May 20, 2025 British journalist Will Neal has been denied entry into Georgia, where he has lived since 2022.
Will Neal is freelance journalist. On March 31 of this year, Neal published an investigatigation about Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich’s UK-registered companies and their connections to Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the Georgian Dream party.
The expulsion follows a hate campaign led by pro-government politicians and media outlets in response to Neal’s investigation into Georgian circles of power, as press freedom continues to deteriorate in the country.
The international organization Reporters Without Borders has issued a article regarding the journalist being denied entry at the border, saying: “The expulsion follows a hate campaign led by pro-government politicians and media outlets in response to Neal’s investigation into Georgian circles of power, as press freedom continues to deteriorate in the country.“
This is not the first time journalists have been denied entry to Georgia.
On May 23, 2025, “Publika” journalist Mariam Kavshbaia was fined 5,000 GEL by Judge Zviad Tsekvava.
The police issued an administrative offense report against Mariam Kavshbaia on February 3 of this year. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused the journalist of illegally blocking the road while carrying out her professional duties.
Mariam Kavshbaia presented evidence in the court — including photos she had taken that day, as well as her publications posted on “Publika’s” Facebook page. Additionally, video footage submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs itself showed the journalist working during the protest. Nevertheless, the court upheld the fine and ordered the journalist to pay 5,000 GEL.
On May 12, 2025, in Kvemo Kartli, a journalist and a cameraman from TV Pirveli, who were investigating the resignation of former Deputy Governor Giorgi Shinjikashvili, were physically attacked by the former official’s father.
According to the journalist, Mariam Makasarashvili, Shinjikashvili’s father slapped her in the face and physically attacked the channel’s cameraman as well. At the same time, he seized the TV station’s camera and the journalist’s personal mobile phone, which were returned only after 40 minutes. As a result of the attack, the journalist suffered a concussion and required medical assistance.
The crew immediately called the police. According to the broadcaster, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrived an hour and 20 minutes later. The Special Investigative Service has launched an investigation into the incident.
According to the Media Advocacy Coalition, the incident “once again clearly highlights the critical state of media freedom and safety in the country.”
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched yet another administrative case against Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.
This time, the Ministry accuses the journalist of placing a sticker on an auxiliary building in front of the Batumi Police Department on the evening of her arrest, January 11, 2025, alleging damage to the appearance of the structure.
It has been more than four months since Mzia Amaghlobeli’s arrest. While in detention, the journalist went on a hunger strike for 38 days.
On April 8, 2025, “Mauqceblis” journalist Tozu Gulmamedova was notified of a fine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses her of “artificially blocking the road” on February 16 of the same year.
According to the online media outlet “Mauqceblis,” Tozu Gulmamedova was performing her professional duties at the protest on that day.
