Persecution based on professional grounds

Pro-government media tries to discredit TV Pirveli

On September 17, 2025, the Georgian Dream-supporting propaganda television station – Post TV published a Facebook post stating that TV Pirveli did not cover the fact that the government was transferring apartments to Internally Displaced families. The post also accused TV Pirveli of reporting

“only fake news.” It included a call to “turn off TV Pirveli.”

The publication of such material clearly shows how pro-government media uses the strategy of discrediting opposition media to deepen distrust towards and boycott critical media.

The independent TV company TV Pirveli has repeatedly become the target of attacks by Georgian Dream representatives, supporters, and state agencies.

Six journalists injured near Tbilisi mayoral candidate, Kakha Kaladze’s, campaign headquarters

On September 8, 2025, while covering a rally outside the election headquarters of Georgian Dream’s Tbilisi mayoral candidate, Kakha Kaladze, party supporters and law enforcement officers assaulted journalists, verbally abused them, and confiscated mobile phones. One journalist required medical treatment.

According to the online outlet Publika two reporters, Aleksandre Keshelashvili and Keto Mikadze, were physically assaulted by Georgian Dream supporters while on assignment, and their mobile phones were seized. With the help of a Netgazeti journalist, they recovered only one device Keshelashvili’s phone [timecode: 1:14–1:20]. The outlet reports that it has video evidence showing who took the other phone and has called on that individual to return it, and on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to respond to the theft of editorial equipment and interference in journalistic work.

According to online Netgazeti, a police officer swore at its reporter Ketevan Khutsishvili, physically grabbed and dragged her, and interfered with her work while she was broadcasting live and filming the confrontation outside the headquarters, including the attack on the colleague – Aleksandre Keshelashvili. “They used rude and vulgar gestures to swear. Then a policeman came up to me, saying, ‘Don’t provoke me,’ grabbed me by the arms and dragged me. Then a second and a third came, and one of the policemen cursed me. After that, a man in a blue shirt came and also cursed me. Finally, they dragged me and threw me among the policemen, and one of them even grabbed my hand,” Khutsishvili says. [Video material, timecode: 0:30–2:32]

A Georgian Dream supporter poured a bottle of water over Mariam Nikuradze, OC Media’s founder and photojournalist, as she filmed police clearing protesters. “At that moment, one of the Georgian Dream supporters approached me and poured a whole bottle of water on my head in the presence of the police. The police didn’t say anything to him, I pushed him aside,” Nikuradze told MediaChecker.

An investigative journalist with Studio Monitor, Keti Tutberidze was also poured a bottle of water while she was performing her professional duties.

Hungarian journalist László Róbert Mézes suffered serious physical injuries after being assaulted by Georgian Dream supporters, who also attempted to seize his phone. He required medical attention.

The Media Advocacy Coalition condemned the incidents, stating that “attacks on independent media and impunity for perpetrators are part of Georgian Dream’s consistent policy,” and expressed solidarity with journalists “forced to perform their professional duties under a violent regime.”

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics “strongly condemns” the violence against journalists “against the backdrop of the criminal inaction and indifference of the police,” calling on the Ministry of Internal Affairs for an immediate response and on the Prosecutor’s Office to conduct an effective investigation.

Azerbaijani student studying journalism at GIPA, living in Tbilisi, was denied entry to Georgia

On September 6, 2025, Azerbaijani student Javid Ahmedov, who lives and studies in Tbilisi, was denied entry into Georgia. The 26-year-old Ahmedov told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that authorities initially cited fines under “grounds for road closure” in his name, totaling 10,000 GEL (two fines), as the reason for the refusal. He was then informed that even if he paid this amount, he would still not be allowed into the country. Ultimately, the document he received at the border justifying the denial listed the reason as “other reasons.”

Ahmedov links the incident to his professional activities. He said he had been on Rustaveli Avenue several times, not as an activist, but as a journalist, carrying a camera. He first learned about the fines on August 24, when leaving Georgia, but was told he could pay them upon return and that they would not prevent him from leaving the country. Upon returning, he discovered he had not one but two fines and was unable to enter Georgia. He was sent back to Turkey.

Ahmedov has been living in Georgia since September 2024 and is studying journalism at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA). On September 8, he was scheduled to fly from Kutaisi to Germany, where he is going to study on a scholarship.

Members of “Georgian Dream” and the police verbally and physically harassed journalists from “Publika”

On September 3, 2025, Beka Odisharia, a member of “Georgian Dream,” former MP, and candidate for Tbilisi City Council, verbally insulted “Publika” journalist Mindia Gabazde. Other members and supporters of “Georgian Dream” verbally and physically harassed and spat on the publication’s editor, Lika Zakashvili. The police, instead of protecting Zakashvili, interfered with her work by forcing her to stop filming through physical restraint.

The incidents occurred during the opening of the election campaign headquarters of “Georgian Dream” Tbilisi mayoral candidate Kakha Kaladze. The event took place against the backdrop of a protest, and journalists were attempting to cover the events.

Video footage recorded by “Publika” shows Beka Odisharia speaking insultingly to Mindia Gabazde after the journalist asked him a question. In the same episode, Odisharia also verbally abuses protest participants and other journalists present.

Lika Zakashvili became a target of “Georgian Dream” supporters when she tried to film their insulting actions toward activists. One person struck her and tried to take her mobile phone, then another approached from behind and spat on her. The footage shows that law enforcement did not intervene. On the contrary, in a subsequent clip, a police officer physically tried to stop Zakashvili from filming.

According to the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, “Impunity for crimes against journalists encourages perpetrators and drives them to commit more offenses.” The Charter calls on “Georgian Dream” to put an end to such practices, take responsibility, and ensure a safe working environment for journalists.

The Media Advocacy Coalition emphasized that this is not the first instance of violence against journalists by “Georgian Dream” supporters. “Under Bidzina Ivanishvili’s governance, we see systemic violence against independent media. Repressive legislation has been enacted against independent media. All of these incidents are part of a coordinated strategy aimed at suppressing independent media and critical voices in the country,” the coalition said.

UPDATE: Based on a complaint filed with the prosecutor’s office, on September 11, 2025, “Publika” editor-in-chief Lika Zakashvili was questioned. The prosecutor’s office opened a case based on Zakashvili’s statement.

Public Broadcaster fires another “Real Space” employee

According to GPB Guardians, the Public Broadcaster’s First Channel has fired another employee of “Real Space,” Meri Shikhashvili. GPB Guardians reports that Shikhashvili was dismissed immediately upon returning from maternity leave.

The Public Broadcaster, amid pro-European demonstrations, has been dismissing employees who are critical of management, with some also facing various disciplinary sanctions.

In 2025, the Public Broadcaster imposed disciplinary measures or dismissed several employees for expressing critical positions. Among them are Nino Zautashvili, host and creator of the program “Real Space,” and Vasil Ivanov-Chikovani, host of the program “Moambe.”

“TV Pirveli” cameraman Giorgi Mosiashvili fined 10,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road”

Giorgi Mosiashvili, a photojournalist for the tv ”Pirveli” was fined twice by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, totaling 10,000 lari. The police accuse him of blocking Rustaveli Avenue on February 21 and March 11. In a post on social media, Mosiashvili noted that he was performing his professional duties at the time the fines were issued.

Georgian Dream increased the amount of fines in the context of the pro-European protests that began after November 28. According to amendments made to Georgia’s Code of Administrative Offence, the fine for illegally blocking a roadway has been increased tenfold from 500 GEL to 5,000 GEL.

The accounts of the member organizations of the “Media Advocacy Coalition” were frozen

The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation against non-governmental organizations, including member organizations of the “Media Advocacy Coalition,” on charges of “sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, assistance in hostile activities to a foreign organization and an organization under foreign control, and mobilization of funds for activities directed against the constitutional order and foundations of national security of Georgia.”

On August 27, 2025, Tbilisi City Court satisfied the Prosecutor’s Office’s request and froze the bank accounts of these organizations.

Minutes after the Prosecutor’s Office released its statement, the pro-government TV company “Imedi” broadcast a story supporting the investigation, specifically using comments from civil sector representatives from pro-European rallies. The Prosecutor’s Office’s accusation charges the organizations with mobilizing funds to purchase special equipment (such as special gas masks, helmets, face coverings, medical masks, protective goggles) for participants of the pro-European rallies.

More than 50 civil society and media organizations expressed solidarity with the seized organizations.

“Taking punitive steps against Georgian non-governmental organizations, similar to the Russian authorities, confirms that the Ivanishvili government’s interest is the complete destruction of dissenting opinion and pro-European groups in Georgia,” the statement said.

Based on the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, the accounts of seven organizations were seized on August 27. These are: “Civil Society Foundation,” “International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy” (ISFED), “Institute for Development of Freedom of Information” (IDFI), “Guardians of Democracy,” “Georgian Democratic Initiative” (GDI), “Sapari,” and “Social Justice Center.” Among these, “Civil Society Foundation,” ISFED, IDFI, and GDI are members of the “Media Advocacy Coalition.”

Founder of “Batumelebi”/“Netgazeti” outlets, Mzia Amaglobeli, sentenced to 2 years in prison

Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of the Batumi City Court reclassified the charges against the founder of the online publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, and sentenced her to two years in prison.

Mzia Amaglobeli was charged with assaulting a police officer after slapping the Chief of Batumi Police, and was charged under Article 353 Prima of the Criminal Code, which envisions 4 to 7 years in prison. On the day of the verdict, the judge reclassified the charges to Article 353 Part One of the Criminal Code. The article in question refers to resisting a police officer, a special penitentiary service employee or another government official with the aim of obstructing the maintenance of public order, interrupting or changing his activities. The article provides for a fine or house arrest for a term of up to two years or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 6 years.

Mzia Amaglobeli’s attorneys plan to appeal the case after the verdict is handed down.

Mzia Amaglobeli was first arrested on January 11 of this year under administrative law, and a few hours later, on January 12, under criminal law.

Another French photojournalist was denied entry to Georgia

French photographer Hicham El Bouhmid, who was covering ongoing protest actions in the country, was denied entry to Georgia. On August 3, 2025, he wrote on Instagram that after six hours of waiting and questioning at the Armenia–Georgia border, he was refused entry, with the official reason cited as “other cases provided for by Georgian legislation.”

Based on publicly available information from 2024–2025, the “Media, Information, and Social Research Center” recorded nine cases of foreign journalists and photographers being denied entry to Georgia, and one case of being denied exit from the country. In none of these cases did law enforcement specify the exact motive for the refusal of entry.

A police officer in Gori obstructed journalist Giorgi Akhalkatsi in the course of his journalistic work

On July 29, 2025, Gori police officer Ioseb Gagnidze aggressively confronted journalist Giorgi Akhalkatsi, who was attempting to film ongoing investigative actions in Gori, and obstructed his work.

“Journalists, meet Gori police officer Ioseb Gagnidze, who told us: ‘If you don’t have your badge hanging around your neck, you are not journalists to me. I will interfere with your filming, call you liars, and if necessary, I won’t hesitate to use force,’” the journalist wrote on social media.

According to Giorgi Akhalkatsi, the officer became aggressive after noticing that the investigative actions were being conducted with procedural violations: the area was not cordoned off with protective tape, no lawyer was called, searches were conducted without the presence of outsiders, anyone could move freely in the area, and so on.