Persecution based on professional grounds

Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili Threatened a “Publika” Journalist with a Ban on Taking Photos During the Court Hearing

On June 11, 2025, Tbilisi City Court Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili, who is presiding over the case of eight individuals arrested during a protest, threatened Mindia Gabadze, a journalist from the online outlet Publika, saying he would not be allowed to take photos at the next hearing. According to the journalist, the judge addressed him directly: “She called out to me just after announcing the end of the hearing, while I was quietly continuing to take photos,” Gabadze wrote on social media.

Mindia Gabadze is one of the journalists who regularly attends court hearings related to so-called “prisoners of conscience” and reports on the developments. His social media accounts feature numerous emotional photos and videos from courtrooms, including visual documentation of statements made by the prisoners.

Recently, the court system has increasingly restricted media coverage of judicial proceedings. Between May 22 and June 11, 2025, there were four recorded incidents (on May 22, 23, 29, and 30) in Tbilisi City Court where reporters equipped with photo and video cameras were denied entry. On June 10, one hearing was entirely closed to the media, including those previously granted permission to record. All of these instances occurred during hearings deemed to be of high public interest and considered to involve political cases.

The Media Advocacy Coalition stated that these actions set a dangerous precedent and reflect the ruling party Georgian Dream’s deliberate policy of restricting the press.

“Banning media access to court proceedings not only violates the rights of journalists but also infringes upon the public’s right to be informed. With such actions, Georgian Dream is trying to withhold crucial information about important court decisions from the public and limit citizens’ ability to hold the government accountable,” the coalition’s statement reads.

A new administrative offense case is being reviewed in Batumi City Court against Mzia Amaglobeli, related to the act of placing a sticker

On June 9, Batumi City Court will hear yet another administrative offense case against journalist Mzia Amaglobeli. According to information shared on May 7 by Amaglobeli’s legal representative, Nona Kurdovanidze, head of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed an additional charge against the journalist. This time, she is accused of “damaging the appearance of a building” — for posting a protest sign during a demonstration on January 11, a sign that was immediately removed after it was put up.

It’s worth noting that Amaglobeli was initially detained on the spot for this act under administrative procedure. However, it later became clear that simply posting the sign did not legally justify her detention, and she was released about an hour later. The Ministry of Internal Affairs subsequently amended the offense record to claim she had disobeyed a police order, in an effort to justify the arrest.

In that case, two levels of court found Amaglobeli guilty and imposed a fine of 2,000 GEL.

Now, despite a legal ruling already having been made on what is essentially the same action, Batumi City Court is reviewing the incident under a new legal classification. The case is being heard by Judge Mariam Fomaeva, who was appointed in December 2024 on a probationary basis.

Legislative Changes Increase Regulator’s Control Over Broadcasters

On June 12, 2025, the one-party parliament adopted a legislative package in its third reading, which introduced amendments to, among others, the Law on Broadcasting. Under these changes, the Communications Commission was granted the authority to request confidential information about broadcasters from banks through the court system. A new chapter was added to the Administrative Procedures Code Of Georgia to reflect this amendment.

According to the Media Advocacy Coalition, “There is absolutely no necessity to grant such powers to the regulator. Furthermore, the additional powers exceed the agency’s overall mandate. Granting the Commission the ability to breach banking confidentiality creates a new tool for financial pressure and blackmail against the media.”

Initially, the amendments to the Law “On Broadcasting” were adopted by the “Georgian Dream” parliament on April 1, 2025.

According to the amendments, foreign funding of broadcasters was completely banned, the authority of the regulatory body, the National Communications Commission, was significantly increased, in particular, the professional activities of journalists were brought under the scope of regulation.

According to the amendments, it is prohibited for a broadcaster to receive direct or indirect funding from the so-called “foreign power” and for a foreign power to purchase a broadcaster’s services, except for advertising or product placement.
According to the amendment, broadcasters are prohibited from receiving direct or indirect funding in exchange for placing social advertising.
The law considers the following as a foreign power: a) a subject constituting the government system of a foreign state; b) a natural person who is not a citizen of Georgia; c) a legal entity that is not established on the basis of Georgian legislation; d) An organizational unit or other type of association of persons established under the law of a foreign state and/or international law.

The amendment also introduces detailed regulations regarding standards for television and radio broadcasting, due accuracy of facts and the right to reply. Regulations are also added on the fairness and impartiality of facts, inviolability of private life, obtaining and transmitting information using covert methods, reporting on armed conflict, accidents and other emergency situations, and certain issues related to the protection of minors.

Transparency International Georgia states that the law, among other laws adopted by the GD in the past year, pose a threat to the existence of independent media.

Together with this, the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, also known as the “Russian Law,” has been in effect in Georgia since 2024, which was adopted by the Georgian Dream last year despite widespread public opposition and international criticism. It aims to register non-governmental and media outlets as organizations representing the interests of a “foreign power” if 20% of their income comes from foreign organizations.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs Denies Appeal by Publika Journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili and Upholds Fine

On June 6, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) rejected the appeal of Publika journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili, which challenged a 5,000 GEL fine issued against him. The fine had been imposed for allegedly blocking Rustaveli Avenue.

The MIA fined Mgaloblishvili in February 2025. The journalist submitted evidence to the ministry showing he was performing his professional duties—reporting on a pro-European protest that began on the country’s main avenue in November 2024 and has continued uninterrupted to this day. Video footage recorded by Mgaloblishvili on the day the fine was issued confirms that he was carrying out journalistic work. Additionally, he was clearly wearing press identification in the footage. However, the MIA did not consider this sufficient to confirm his professional status.

In contrast, in another case, an MIA representative explained that journalist Mariam Kvashebaya was fined for blocking the road specifically because she was not wearing visible press credentials that would verify she was working in a professional capacity.

“MIA once again confirms that journalistic work on the street has become punishable. Against the backdrop of legislative and physical attacks on the media, this is a very dangerous precedent—where the Ministry decides where I can work, how I can work, and what qualifies as journalism and what does not. Sooner or later, MIA employees themselves will understand why undermining the media is dangerous,” wrote Basti Mgaloblishvili.

Since November 28, 2024, according to publicly available information, around 36 media representatives have been fined while carrying out their professional duties. Most of these cases are still under review. So far, the courts have found two journalists guilty of administrative violations and imposed fines on them.

A member of the supervisory board of the state-owned company “Sakrusenergo” and a relative of a businessman close to “Georgian Dream” is publicly threatening journalists from “TV Pirveli”

On June 7, 2025, a relative of a businessman close to “Georgian Dream,” who is also employed at a state-owned company, publicly threatened “TV Pirveli” journalists Tamta Dolenjashvili and Nodar Meladze.

“Nodar Meladze, I’ll rip your head off (in the full sense of the word) and take Tamta Dolenjashvili down with you,” wrote Tea Gadabadze on social media. She is the sister-in-law of Noshrevan Namoradze, a businessman affiliated with “Georgian Dream.”

The investigative report prepared by Tamta Dolenjashvili focused on individuals allegedly hired through nepotism into high-paying positions at the state-owned company “Sakrusenergo.” According to “TV Pirveli,” one of those individuals is Tea Gadabadze, who, according to the journalistic investigation, is employed as a member of Sakrusenergo’s supervisory board.

Communications Commission to Review Georgian Dream’s Complaints Against TV Pirveli, Formula, and Mtavari Arkhi

On June 5, 2025, the Communications Commission accepted for consideration the complaints filed by “Georgian Dream” against TV Pirveli, Formula, and Mtavari Arkhi, and will review them substantively on June 19.

On June 2, TV channels Formula and TV Pirveli released a statement revealing that “Georgian Dream” had filed complaints against them with the National Communications Commission.

According to Formula, a representative of “Georgian Dream” is accusing the channel of violating provisions of the broadcasting law that the ruling party adopted on April 1. The party submitted the complaint to the Commission on June 1 — the day the Commission was granted the authority to sanction broadcasters.

“The complaint seeks to censor terms that emphasize the illegitimacy and political bias of Georgian Dream’s parliament, officials, or institutions,” Formula’s statement says.

“Georgian Dream” is suing Formula over the use of phrases such as: “prisoners of the regime,” “regime’s court,” “illegitimate parliament,” “so-called parliament,” and others.

According to TV Pirveli, a 14-page complaint has been filed against them at the National Communications Commission, listing words and terms used by the media in various news segments.

The amendments to the “Broadcasting Law” were passed by “Georgian Dream” on April 1, 2025. Under the new rules, the regulatory body—the National Communications Commission—was granted significantly expanded powers, and all foreign funding of broadcasters was fully banned.

The Media Advocacy Coalition responded to the situation with a statement: “The repressive legislation recently initiated and adopted by Georgian Dream deliberately restricts freedom of expression and the public’s access to alternative opinions and information,” the statement reads.

Vehicle Belonging to “Mtis Ambebi” Intentionally Damaged

On February 4, 2025, Gela Mtivlishvili, founder and editor of the outlet Mtis Ambebi, published a Facebook post revealing that a vehicle belonging to the newsroom was deliberately damaged.

According to Mtivlishvili, the same individual who damaged the car later came to his residence and knocked on his door. He also shared a photo on social media as evidence of the incident.

“In the morning, the company vehicle was damaged. CCTV footage shows a person deliberately throwing a stone at the windshield three times to break it. We’ve already reported it to 112. The thing is, this person lives in the same building and has access to the security system and the entrance codes. I’ve never done anything but good for him, which is why it’s clear to me that someone told him to do this,” the journalist wrote.

Gela Mtivlishvili has previously been the target of both verbal and physical attacks by members of the ruling Georgian Dream party and the police.

Police Take Legal Action Against “Publika” Photojournalist Brutally Beaten While Covering Protest

On February 12, 2025, Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs filed a case against Publika journalist and photojournalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili. The ministry accuses him of violating Articles 166 and 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code, which relate to petty hooliganism and disobedience to police. The court hearing is scheduled for February 25 at 4:00 PM.

The alleged offense took place on November 19, 2024—the same day Keshelashvili himself became the target of police violence. He was arrested and brutally beaten while covering a pro-European protest in Tbilisi.

“I kept repeating that I was a journalist, but it seemed to have the opposite effect—they were already cursing me, and then added more abuse because I was from the media. They made me walk through a sort of ‘corridor’ where they beat me, mostly in the face,” Keshelashvili said.

He required medical treatment and underwent nasal surgery. Although the Special Investigation Service opened an inquiry into the assault, not a single law enforcement officer has been held accountable to date.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs Fined ‘Netgazeti’ Journalist Nino Baiduri 5,000 GEL

On June 4, 2025, Nino Baiduri, a journalist for the online publication Netgazeti, was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She is accused of blocking Rustaveli Avenue on March 21.

The journalist wrote about the fine on the social media platform Facebook, attaching the short text message she received from the Ministry:

“You have been fined under Article 174, Paragraph 5. Date: 21/03/2025. Location: Tbilisi, Rustaveli Avenue, near the Parliament building.”

According to publicly available sources, the Media, Information, and Social Research Center (CMIS) has been documenting cases of journalists fined for blocking roads while covering pro-European protests, based on publicly accessible information, since November 28, 2024.

Netgazeti and Batumelebi Co-founder and Director Remains in Pretrial Custody

On March 4, 2025, Batumi City Court Judge Vasil Metreveli ruled to keep Netgazeti and Batumelebi co-founder and director Mzia Amaglobe in pre-trial detention. On that day, the court also began the substantive hearing of her case and reviewed the issue of revising the preventive measure.

Mzia Amaglobeli is being investigated under Article 353¹, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to attacks on police officers, special penitentiary staff, or other public officials or institutions. The charge carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison.

Amaglobeli was arrested twice during the night of January 11–12. She was initially detained for posting a sticker on a police building that read: “Georgia Goes on Strike.” She was released a few hours later on a written pledge. However, shortly after her release, she was re-arrested for allegedly slapping the police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze.

According to Netgazeti, the incident was preceded by a clash and crowding between demonstrators and police, triggered by provocative actions from the police.The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), which is representing Amaglobeli, stated that “Mzia Amaglobeli is not only being held unlawfully, but the Georgian judiciary has demonstratively stripped her of the right to defend herself and prove her innocence.”