Persecution Due to Civil Activism

The State Security Service summoned human rights defender Ucha Nanuashvili for questioning

On 17 March, human rights defender Ucha Nanuashvili wrote on social media that he had been summoned for questioning at the State Security Service. According to him, the summons is related to his communication with an expert operating under the OSCE“Moscow Mechanism”.

Nanuashvili stated that an investigator from the State Security Service contacted him following a statement he made on television. In this context, “POSTV Analitika” disseminated a video on social media claiming that Ucha Nanuashvili had allegedly coordinated the report prepared under the Moscow Mechanism. Nanuashvili himself notes that this circumstance became the basis for summoning him for questioning.

Attention was also drawn to this issue during a briefing held by Irakli Kobakhidze on 16 March. In the context of the video disseminated by “POSTV”, a journalist from the pro-government channel “Rustavi 2” asked Irakli Kobakhidze about the possible role of Ucha Nanuashvili and inquired how noteworthy he considered this information. In response, Kobakhidze stated that “it would not be surprising for agents to be in coordination, and this is also evident from the published text; of course, there would have been full coordination with local agents.” Against the backdrop of these developments, Ucha Nanuashvili was summoned for questioning at the State Security Service the following day.

On 18 March, Ucha Nanuashvili was questioned before a magistrate judge. According to Nanuashvili, he provided the OSCE expert with information on the situation in the country and on human rights reports, which, in his assessment, constitutes an attempt to intimidate civil society in order to restrict future communication with international organisations. He further stated that the State itself had an obligation to cooperate with the expert, while paragraph 6 of the “Moscow Mechanism” requires participating States to refrain from any actions against individuals cooperating with the expert — a requirement which, according to Nanuashvili, has been violated.

The case is linked to the report prepared under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, which was published on 12 March. The report provides a detailed account of the situation in Georgia since 2024, including democratic backsliding, the deterioration of human rights, and the persecution and repression of protest participants and the opposition. The “Moscow Mechanism” was invoked on 29 January by 24 OSCE participating States, leading to the establishment of an independent fact-finding mission, which prepared the report within a limited timeframe.

Activist Megi Diasamidze Notified to Appear Before the Court Over Sidewalk Protest

Activist Megi Diasamidze has been notified to appear before the court in connection with her participation in a protest held on a sidewalk. The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleges that she obstructed pedestrian movement by standing on the sidewalk. According to Diasamidze, as stated on social media, she was contacted by the Tbilisi City Court and informed that the hearing has been scheduled for 31 March.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia accused Megi Diasamidze of obstructing pedestrian movement on the sidewalk in front of Parliament on 18 December at approximately 21:58. On 31 March, a judge of the Tbilisi City Court, Davit Makaridze, subjected Diasamidze to 2 days of administrative detention. A video has been circulated on social media showing Diasamidze calling the emergency number 112 Emergency Service Georgia herself, stating: “I was sentenced to two days for standing on the sidewalk. I want to call the police to come and take me, as is usually done…”Megi Diasamidze, a 23-year-old activist, was previously detained on 10 September 2025 near Lanchkhuti while travelling from Tbilisi to Batumi. The investigation alleged that she inscribed the phrase “Russian Dream” on an election campaign banner belonging to Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze’s campaign headquarters. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the value of the damaged banners amounted to GEL 380. It is noted that the inscription was removed by the municipal cleaning service within approximately three minutes. The Tbilisi City Court released Diasamidze on bail in the amount of GEL 2,000. Her lawyer indicated that her rights were violated at the time of detention, stating that she had not been informed of the reasons for her arrest and had not been allowed to contact a lawyer or her family for a certain period of time. If convicted, Diasamidze faces up to five years of imprisonment under charges related to damage to property.

Activist Giorgi Mumladze Found Liable and Placed in Administrative Detention

On 16 March, according to information disseminated on social media, activist Giorgi Mumladze was found liable for an administrative offence in connection with the obstruction of a roadway and was placed in administrative detention for a period of four days.

A violation of this provision is punishable by administrative detention for up to 15 days, or up to 20 days in the case of an organizer. The amendments also introduced changes to the Criminal Code of Georgia, providing that the repeated commission of the above-mentioned acts within a one-year period may result in criminal liability.

Court Finds GYLA Lawyer Giorgi Gotsiridze Liable for Administrative Offence in Connection with Sidewalk Protest

On 16 March, Giorgi Gotsiridze, a lawyer of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) and a human rights defender, was found liable for an administrative offence by Judge Davit Makaradze for standing on a sidewalk in the course of a protest. The court issued a verbal warning.

According to GYLA, the imposition of legal liability for engaging in peaceful protest expressed through standing on a sidewalk reflects a reality that is entirely detached from human rights law. The organization assesses that the adoption of such regulation, as well as its enforcement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is inconsistent with both national and international legal standards and constitutes an instrument of law-making and law enforcement grounded in repression and control.

Administrative proceedings against citizens in relation to sidewalk protests commenced following legislative amendments adopted by Georgian Dream on 12 December 2025. The amendments were adopted following accelerated parliamentary consideration over a three-day period. As a result of these amendments, protest activity on sidewalks was, in effect, also prohibited. For a first violation, the legislation provides for administrative detention for a period of up to 15 days (up to 20 days in the case of an organizer), while a repeated violation may result in the imposition of criminal liability. According to the assessment of Transparency International Georgia, “the detention of an individual for standing on a sidewalk, even under administrative procedure, let alone the imposition of criminal punishment cannot withstand any criticism when assessed against the standards of freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and by international human rights instruments.”

Court Finds Shorena Shavlakadze Liable for Administrative Offence in Connection with Road Blockage

Shorena Shavlakadze, the mother of a person with disabilities and an active participant in protest demonstrations advocating for her and her child’s rights, was charged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the artificial obstruction of a roadway on Rustaveli Avenue. On 16 March, the Tbilisi City Court found Shorena Shavlaqadze, a mother of a person with disabilities and a rights defender, liable for an administrative offence and issued her a verbal warning. The decision was rendered by Judge Nino Enukidze of the Tbilisi City Court.

On 16 October 2025, Georgian Dream adopted legislative amendments to the Criminal Code of Georgia and the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia, which significantly restrict the forms through which demonstrators may express peaceful protest. Under these amendments, Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences was supplemented with paragraph 10, providing that participants in assemblies and demonstrations shall be subject to mandatory administrative detention for certain acts. These include, inter alia, covering one’s face with a mask or other means, possessing tear gas or similar substances, intentionally creating obstacles to pedestrian or vehicular movement, installing temporary structures, or partially or fully blocking a roadway. A violation of this provision is punishable by administrative detention for up to 15 days, or up to 20 days in the case of an organizer. The amendments also introduced changes to the Criminal Code of Georgia, providing that the repeated commission of the above-mentioned acts within a one-year period may result in criminal liability.

GYLA Suspends Part of Its Free Legal Aid Programs Amid Legislative Changes

According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), legislative amendments adopted since 2024, coupled with an increasingly repressive environment, have significantly narrowed the operational space of civil society and have impacted the organization’s operations.

GYLA reports that, due to the prevailing circumstances, it has been compelled to temporarily restrict several key areas of its work, including programs providing free legal assistance to citizens. As a result, thousands of individuals will no longer be able to access the support previously delivered by the organization through free in-person, telephone, and online consultations, preparation of legal documents, and court representation.

The organization further states that, in light of the deteriorating human rights situation, it is transitioning to a crisis-response operational mode. At this stage, legal assistance will be maintained solely within the framework of strategic litigation, while GYLA will continue to monitor and document human rights violations.

According to the Ombudsperson’s representative’s report, Denis Kulanin is being held in conditions that may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment

On 13 March, information was disseminated regarding a report prepared by a representative of the Public Defender of Georgia, according to which convicted individual Denis Kulanin is being held in conditions that may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment at Penitentiary Establishment No. 8. The report, dated 7 March, notes the presence of cockroaches in the cell, severely deteriorated sanitary facilities, and pillows described as “extremely dirty.”

According to the report, on 8 February Kulanin was transferred from his cell to solitary confinement without being provided with any explanation. He stated that for a certain period he was held without a bed and without access to basic hygienic conditions, including a shower and dental care items. It is further indicated that for a period of time he was not allowed to contact his lawyer or a representative of the Public Defender’s Office.

The report also states that since 3 March Kulanin has been held in a so-called quarantine cell, where, according to his account, sanitary conditions remain poor and he does not have access to his personal belongings or documents.

According to information disseminated on 10 March, activists Zurab Menteshashvili and Denis Kulanin were placed in solitary confinement, where, according to their statements, they were held in conditions that may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment. In a statement issued on 11 March, the Penitentiary Service responded to allegations related to Kulanin’s hunger strike, stating that the convicted individual has been consuming food both provided by the institution and purchased within the facility. The authority did not address the conditions described by the Ombudsperson’s representative.

Verbal Confrontation Reported Between Bystander and Protest Participants Following Demonstration Near Parliament

On 12 March, following the protest, a verbal confrontation occurred between a private individual and protest participants in the underground passage near the First Public School in Tbilisi. According to information disseminated on social media, an unidentified individual, reportedly in an intoxicated state, according to eyewitness accounts – directed aggressive verbal remarks toward a female protest participant holding the Georgian flag.

As reported by Levan Jobava on social media, after attracting the attention of those present, the individual moved toward a police cordon. According to the same source, law enforcement officers did not apprehend the individual at the scene, and he subsequently left the area in the company of police officers without further incident.

Fire Reported in Tent of Activist Darejan Tskhvitariia Near Parliament

On 12 March, activist Darejan Tskhvitariia, who had been spending nights in a tent near the Parliament of Georgia as part of an ongoing protest, stated that her tent caught fire during the night. According to her account, at approximately 3:00 a.m. she heard an unidentified individual shouting that something was burning, and upon going outside, she observed that her tent was on fire. Tskhvitariia expressed the view that the fire may have been set in order to remove the tents. She further stated that, following the incident, her personal belongings were taken from the tent.

According to Tskhvitariia, law enforcement officers arrived at the scene and officers from the Old Tbilisi district police were called. She stated that police officers requested that she leave the area, forcibly took her mobile phone, and removed her from the site using physical force. Notwithstanding the above, she indicated her intention to continue the protest.According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, an investigation has been initiated under Article 188(2) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns damage to or destruction of property through negligent handling of fire or another source of increased danger.

Zurab Menteshashvili and Denis Kulanin Report Inhuman or Degrading Conditions of Detention Following Placement in Solitary Confinement

On 10 March, according to publicly available information, Zurab Menteshashvili and Denis Kulanin were placed in solitary confinement, where, according to their accounts, they are being held in conditions that may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment.

According to Menteshashvili’s legal counsel, Jano Chkadua, Menteshashvili is being held in materially inadequate conditions of detention. He is reportedly deprived of basic necessities, including a towel, toothbrush, and hygiene products, and is not provided with the means to maintain minimum sanitary conditions in his cell. Counsel further indicated that the cell is unsanitary and infested with cockroaches. According to the lawyer, Menteshashvili considers that his placement in solitary confinement may be linked to his hunger strike, as the prison administration had repeatedly requested that he discontinue it.

According to Denis Kulanin, on 3 March he and Menteshashvili were transferred to solitary confinement without being provided with any explanation. He stated that their personal belongings, including documents necessary for court proceedings and personal correspondence, were confiscated. He further indicated that they were denied access to telephone communication, outdoor exercise, and bathing facilities. Kulanin reported that the cell is infested with cockroaches, lacks functioning ventilation, and that they are not provided with essential items necessary to ensure basic hygiene. He also stated that they are not permitted to purchase hygiene products or other essential items. In a letter dated 6 March, Kulanin stated that he and Menteshashvili have been on hunger strike since their placement in solitary confinement and requested a visit from the Public Defender of Georgia. He further indicated that they are seeking clarification of the legal grounds for their placement and allege that they are being effectively isolated from both their legal representatives and the public.

The Penitentiary Service denied the reported allegations, stating that Menteshashvili and Kulanin are not held in solitary confinement but are instead placed in so-called quarantine (internal classification) cells. According to the authority, such placement was carried out in accordance with the Penitentiary Code of Georgia and the institution’s internal regulations. The Penitentiary Service also released video footage which, according to its statement, depicts the individuals consuming food and was made public for the purpose of informing the public.

Denis Kulanin has been convicted in connection with damage to a vehicle belonging to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia. He is a Russian-born activist residing in Georgia who was convicted in relation to an incident during a protest near the Parliament on 28 March 2025, and was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.Zurab Menteshashvili is held in custody under criminal law on charges of repeatedly blocking a roadway. The charges are based on legislative amendments adopted on 16 October 2025, pursuant to which the repeated blocking of a roadway or obstruction of movement during an assembly or demonstration constitutes a criminal offence.