Persecution based on professional grounds

“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.

According to Batumelebi, the decision states that the prisoner cannot be released early because she “still does not repent for her actions.” The same outlet reports that the commission reached this decision despite a positive recommendation from Women’s Penitentiary Facility No. 5.

Mzia Amaghlobeli has been wrongfully imprisoned for one year and three months. She was sentenced to two years for slapping Irakli Dgebuadze, the head of the Batumi Police. Under current legislation, individuals convicted of less serious crimes are eligible for early release once they have served half of their sentence. A special commission reviews these cases, with the prison administration formally submitting the motion for a prisoner’s early release. According to Batumelebi, Penitentiary Facility No. 5 submitted the motion for Mzia Amaghlobeli’s parole to the board on January 12 of this year.

Facebook Page Affiliated with “Georgian Dream” Discredits Independent Journalists

A Facebook page titled “Media,” which is affiliated with the “Georgian Dream” party, is actively discrediting independent journalists. On April 1, the page published a poster featuring journalists from TV Pirveli, Mtavari Arkhi, and Formula, accompanied by the caption: “Happy Professional Day—April 1st.” (In Georgian society, April 1st is associated with lying and is considered April Fools’ Day).

The “Media” page was created on December 25, 2024. Its original name was “Borotmokmedia” (a play on words meaning “Evildoer”), but on September 9, 2025, it was renamed “Media.” The page is primarily engaged in discrediting independent journalists, the opposition, and the family members of prisoners of conscience. According to the fact-checking platform “Myth Detector,” this page is linked to “Georgian Dream” and operates in coordination with media outlets that follow a pro-government editorial policy (such as POSTV and Imedi).

Pro-Government POSTV Host Liza Gegechkori Attempts to Discredit Journalist Maka Andronikashvili

Liza Gegechkori, a host for the pro-government outlet POSTV—which has been sanctioned by Britain for spreading Russian propaganda—is attempting to discredit TV Pirveli investigative journalist Maka Andronikashvili. The individual, who is closely affiliated with “Georgian Dream,” is spreading disinformation claiming that Maka Andronikashvili changed her last name:

“I just found out—you might think it’s a joke, but it isn’t—her real name was Nabichvrishvili. The woman changed her own last name because she was a Nabichvrishvili by birth, and then, without a second thought, she ‘became’ an Andronikashvili,” the propagandist wrote.

This is not the first time that POSTV and its affiliates have attempted to insult and discredit independent and critical journalists. This attitude has become a trend on the channel and is systematic in nature. The channel’s director, Shalva Ramishvili, is particularly active in these efforts.

Tbilisi City Court Dismisses TV Pirveli Journalists’ Lawsuit Against Pro-Government POSTV

Tbilisi City Court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by TV Pirveli journalists Nanuka Kajaia, Natalia Kajaia, and Mariam Gaprindashvili against the pro-government outlet POSTV. The journalists sued POSTV for defamation following reports alleging they received $30,000 salaries from Temur Chkonia, the businessman and founder of Coca-Cola.

According to TV Pirveli lawyer Tornike Migineishvili, although the burden of proof rested with the defendant under the law, the plaintiffs submitted numerous documents to the court. These included: a recording of a phone conversation with Temur Chkonia; salary and employment records from TV Pirveli; bank statements from every commercial bank covering several years of transactions for each journalist; and rulings confirming that POSTV had violated journalistic standards in preparing the segment. They also presented all stories and statements demonstrating the “TV company’s” sole intent: an attempt to discredit the plaintiff journalists. Nevertheless, the dispute ended in a victory for the sanctioned media outlet.

At the same time, the lawyer emphasized that the opposing side failed to present a single piece of documentation.

“Georgian Dream” Denies OSCE Parliamentary Assembly Permission to Meet with Detained Journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli

On March 10, 2026, it was revealed that the “Georgian Dream” government denied a visiting delegation from the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly permission to visit the founder of the publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, in prison.

“We requested to visit the prisoners who are in jail, particularly the Sakharov Prize laureate [Mzia Amaghlobeli]. We expressed this to the Prime Minister, the President of the country, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Speaker of Parliament. And they replied to us: No,” stated Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, during his official visit to Georgia while speaking with journalists.

This fact is also confirmed by a statement released by the delegation regarding their visit to Georgia. This is not the first time “Georgian Dream” has prevented an international delegation from visiting journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli. In November 2025, members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) who were in Tbilisi attempted to visit the detained journalist, but were refused entry to her prison cell. Similarly, in May 2025, a delegation of MEPs in Tbilisi was also unable to obtain permission to see Mzia Amaghlobeli.

Tbilisi Mayor Addresses TV Pirveli Journalist with Insulting Language

On March 6, 2026, the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, addressed TV Pirveli journalist Lika Jankharashvili in an insulting manner. “Get prepared; don’t come here so unprepared. I’m giving you a ‘two’ [a failing grade],” Kaladze replied to the journalist, who was attempting to get an answer to a question regarding what “Georgian Dream” has done to improve relations with the United States.

This is not the first instance where the Mayor of Tbilisi has attacked and insulted journalists instead of answering critical questions. For example, on January 12, 2026, Kakha Kaladze verbally insulted another TV Pirveli journalist regarding a question about a ship identified as part of the so-called “shadow fleet” being in Kulevi port and the resulting threat of secondary sanctions against the country. On October 4, 2025, during the local self-government election day, he called journalists “rude.” Even earlier, on September 21, he labeled journalists “aggressors,” also in response to a critical question.

Law Enforcement Accuses Netgazeti Journalist of “Blocking the Road” While Performing Professional Duties

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is accusing Mariam Dzidziaria, a journalist for the online publication Netgazeti, of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue. The charges stem from the “Saturday March” rally held on January 31, 2026, where Dzidziaria was performing her professional duties. According to Netgazeti, while covering the protest, Mariam was wearing a press badge and a “PRESS” armband, and was carrying a camera.

On March 6, it was revealed that administrative proceedings on identical charges have been initiated against two other media representatives. The MIA is also accusing Tabula journalist Mariam Kuprava and photographer Giorgi Tarkhnishvili of “blocking the road” while fulfilling their professional duties.

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics stated that the MIA’s stance toward journalists covering protest rallies raises serious suspicions that the true objective of law enforcement is to intimidate them and force them to stop informing the public about protest sentiments. “Systemic pressure on journalists and the media violates the public’s right to be informed and damages the country’s interests,” the Charter’s statement reads.

Under the repressive legislative amendments passed by “Georgian Dream,” blocking a roadway has become a punishable offense. This is prohibited under Article 174-prime, Part 10 of the Administrative Offenses Code. Later, standing on the sidewalk was also integrated into this same article, leading to the prosecution of protesters as well.

Violating this article carries a penalty of up to 15 days of administrative detention (up to 20 days for organizers). Administrative detention does not apply to pregnant women, mothers with children under 12, minors, or persons with severe or significant disabilities. Instead, they face a fine of 5,000 GEL, or 15,000 GEL if they are an organizer. A repeat of the same “offense” leads to criminal liability.

Since October 26, 2024, more than 40 citations have been issued to journalists on charges of “blocking the road.”

Ministry of Internal Affairs Accuses Photographer Giorgi Tarkhnishvili of “Blocking the Road” While Performing Professional Duties

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is accusing photographer Giorgi Tarkhnishvili of obstructing pedestrians by standing on the sidewalk while performing his professional duties. The case pertains to a protest on December 18, 2025, where the photographer was working on assignment.

The court hearing for this case was held on March 6, 2026. Judge Davit Makaradze of the Administrative Cases Panel of the Tbilisi City Court examined the evidence but deferred the announcement of the verdict.

“We presented documents proving he is a journalist, as well as the badges he was wearing. Even his hat is marked ‘PRESS,’ and he is holding a large camera. All of this proves he was fulfilling his professional duties, and the video presented by the MIA clearly shows him taking photos or videos,” Tarkhnishvili’s lawyer, Giorgi Tabatadze, stated in an interview with MediaChecker.

On March 6, it also became known that administrative proceedings on the same charges had been initiated against another media representative. The MIA is similarly accusing Tabula journalist Mariam Kuprava of “blocking the road” while performing her professional duties.

According to a statement from the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, the MIA’s stance toward journalists covering protests raises a well-founded suspicion that the true goal of law enforcement is to intimidate them and force them to stop informing the public about protest activities. “Systemic pressure on journalists and the media violates the public’s right to be informed and harms the country’s interests,” the Charter’s statement reads.

Under the repressive legislative amendments passed by “Georgian Dream,” blocking a roadway has become a punishable offense. This is prohibited under Article 174-prime, Part 10 of the Administrative Offenses Code. Later, standing on the sidewalk was integrated into this same article, leading to the prosecution of protesters as well.

Violating this article carries a penalty of up to 15 days of administrative detention (up to 20 days for organizers). Administrative detention does not apply to pregnant women, mothers with children under 12, minors, or persons with severe or significant disabilities. Instead, they are subject to a fine of 5,000 GEL, or 15,000 GEL if they are identified as an organizer. A repeat of the same “offense” leads to criminal liability.

Since October 26, 2024, approximately 40 citations have been issued to journalists on charges of “blocking the road.”

Ministry of Internal Affairs Accuses Tabula Journalist of “Blocking the Road” While Performing Professional Duties

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has accused Mariam Kuprava, a journalist for the online publication Tabula, of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue. The accusation stems from a protest on February 7, 2026, while Kuprava was performing her journalistic duties covering the “Saturday March.” In an official report filed on February 9, the MIA claims that “Mariam Kuprava artificially blocked the motorable part of the roadway.”

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics issued a statement arguing that the Ministry’s stance toward journalists covering protests raises serious suspicions. They suggest the true objective of law enforcement is to intimidate and force journalists to stop informing the public about protest sentiments: “Systemic pressure on journalists and the media violates the public’s right to be informed and damages the country’s interests,” the Charter stated.

Under repressive legislative amendments passed by “Georgian Dream,” blocking a roadway has become a punishable offense under Article 174-prime, Part 10 of the Administrative Offenses Code. Later, standing on the sidewalk was also integrated into this same article, leading to the prosecution of protesters as well. Violation of this article carries a penalty of up to 15 days of administrative detention (up to 20 days for organizers). Administrative detention is not applied to pregnant women, mothers with children under 12, minors, or persons with severe or significant disabilities; instead, they face a fine of 5,000 GEL, or 15,000 GEL if identified as an organizer. Repeatedly committing the same “offense” leads to criminal liability.

Since October 26, 2024, approximately 40 citations have been issued to journalists on charges of blocking the road.

Update:

On April 2, Judge Tornike Kapanadze of the Administrative Cases Panel of the Tbilisi City Court dismissed the “road blocking” case against Mariam Kuprava. According to her lawyer, Nika Simonishvili, even the footage submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs clearly showed the Tabula journalist wearing press identification and performing her professional duties on-site.

“Georgian Dream” Supporter and Filmmaker Goga Khaindrava Sues Formula TV

On March 19, filmmaker and “Georgian Dream” supporter Goga Khaindrava filed a lawsuit against Formula TV, seeking 10,000 GEL in compensation for moral damages. The lawsuit also demands a retraction of information aired on “Shabatis Formula” (Saturday Formula), which he claims contained “essentially false facts that defame the plaintiff’s name, honor, and dignity.”

According to MediaChecker, the lawsuit concerns two segments aired on Formula TV on December 20, 2025, and January 17, 2026. The December 20 report, titled “From Apology to Forgiveness: The Dream’s Chief Ideologist’s Film – Why is Goga Khaindrava Being Paid a Million,” focuses on fraudulent call centers. According to Formula TV, Khaindrava is behind the fraudulent scheme. The January 17 segment, “The Director Turned Dream Propagandist – Did Goga Khaindrava Bring Foreign Citizens into Georgia in Exchange for Money,” concerns the alleged entry of Indian and Pakistani citizens into Georgia facilitated by Khaindrava for payment.

Goga Khaindrava has labeled both reports as false and defamatory.

Notably, after the segments about Khaindrava were aired, the program’s host, Davit Kashiashvili, received a threatening message from an unidentified individual.