Shalva Javakhia, a history teacher, political activist, and member of the political party “Federalists,” was found liable for an administrative offence in connection with a protest conducted on a sidewalk. The court imposed a verbal warning. The decision was issued by Judge Manuchar Tsatsua.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that on 18 December 2025, Shalva Javakhia obstructed the movement of the public while standing on the sidewalk outside the Parliament building.
Shalva Javakhia is the tenth individual to have been found liable in proceedings related to sidewalk protests. Of the ten cases to date, five individuals were sentenced to administrative detention for periods of four and five days, while in five cases the courts imposed verbal warnings.
On 12 December 2025, the “Georgian Dream” party adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the right to freedom of assembly. 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.”
The case of activist Sandro Megrelishvili, who was detained for standing on a sidewalk, was examined by the Tbilisi Court of Appeal without an oral hearing, and the appeal was dismissed. According to Megrelishvili’s lawyer, Irakli Abesadze, the decision was taken by Court of Appeal Judge Shorena Kavelashvili.
On 23 January 2026, Judge Davit Makaradze of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Sandro Megrelishvili to four days of administrative detention in connection with a protest conducted on a sidewalk. It was this decision that Megrelishvili’s lawyer appealed before the higher-instance court.On 12 December 2025, the “Georgian Dream” party adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the right to freedom of assembly. 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.”
Tako Gvilia, a resident of Zugdidi and a participant in pro-European protest actions, was found liable for an administrative offence and fined 4,000 GEL by Judge Pati Furtskhvanidze of the Zugdidi District Court in connection with a comment she published on Facebook about a police officer. The decision was rendered on 27 January.
On 14 January 2026, Tako Gvilia reported on social media that she had been served with an administrative offence report drawn up under Article 173(2) of the Code of Administrative Offences. According to the report, she had published a public post in which she allegedly verbally insulted police officer Nikoloz Thordia using obscene language, referring to him as “a pathetic Zugdidi policeman.” In his report, Officer Thordia stated that these expressions were “extremely offensive” to his dignity and professional activity.
Tako Gvilia is not the first activist against whom Nikoloz Thordia has filed a complaint. In December 2025, the Zugdidi Patrol Police officer also lodged a complaint against Mariam Sichinava, a member of the political party “Droa,” in relation to a word published on social media in the Megrelian language – “lodos” (meaning “fool”). At that time, Mariam Sichinava was fined 3,000 GEL.
The practice of initiating court proceedings against citizens on the basis of posts published on social media commenced after the “Georgian Dream” party adopted, in June 2025 and under an expedited legislative procedure, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression. The amendments primarily concerned the regulation of defamation. In particular, the statutory definition of defamation was revised by removing the element of harm, which had previously constituted an essential prerequisite for qualifying a statement as defamatory. Shortly after the amendments entered into force, six journalists were subjected to administrative fines for opinions expressed on social media. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association assessed these amendments as constituting an “unjustified restriction on freedom of expression, creating a chilling effect and aimed at instilling fear within society in order to deter individuals from critically evaluating the actions of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and its political representatives.”
Judge Manuchar Tsatsua of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist and protest participant Natashi Lazishvili liable for an administrative offence for standing on a sidewalk and imposed a verbal warning as a sanction. The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that on 18 December 2025, while standing on the sidewalk near the Parliament building, she deliberately obstructed the movement of citizens.
Natashi Lazishvili is the ninth individual to have been found liable for standing on a sidewalk in connection with protest activities. Of the nine cases to date, five individuals were sentenced to administrative detention, while four individuals including three women and Rezi Dumbadze, the first person found liable for standing on a sidewalk were issued verbal warnings.
On 12 December 2025, the “Georgian Dream” party adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the right to freedom of assembly. 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.”
On 23 January 2026, judges of the Tbilisi City Court found seven citizens liable for administrative offences in connection with standing on a sidewalk. Of these, five individuals (men) were sentenced to administrative detention, while two individuals (women) were issued verbal warnings, as follows:
- Sandro Megrelishvili – four days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
- Dimitri Jamburia – four days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
- Luka Nagliashvili – five days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
- Mikheil Zakareishvili – five days of administrative detention (Judge Zviad Tsekvava);
- Nukri Kakulia – four days of administrative detention (Judge Manuchar Tsatsua);
- Ani Akhmeteli – verbal warning (Judge Zviad Tsekvava);
- Natia Chavchanidze – verbal warning (Judge Manuchar Tsatsua).
The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that, by standing on the sidewalk, the individuals obstructed the movement of other citizens. This marked the first instance in which courts imposed administrative detention in proceedings related to the so-called “sidewalk cases.”
Another repressive legislative amendment restricting the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly was adopted by the “Georgian Dream” party 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 effectively prohibited. Under the amended legal framework, a first violation is punishable by administrative detention for a term of up to 15 days (up to 20 days in the case of an organizer), while a repeated violation may give rise to criminal liability.
The first activist to be subjected to court proceedings following the adoption of the stricter legislation was Ani Akhmeteli, who was served with notice on 23 December. The first judicial decision in sidewalk-related cases was delivered on 22 January, when Judge Tornike Kapanadze found civil activist Rezi Dumbadze liable for an administrative offence and issued a verbal warning. In 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 legal scrutiny when assessed against the standards of freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and by international human rights instruments.”
On 22 January 2026, a precedent was established at the Tbilisi City Court, where the first ruling was delivered in the so-called “sidewalk case.” Judge Tornike Kapanadze found Rezi Dumbadze, a participant in pro-European demonstrations, liable for an administrative offence for standing on a sidewalk adjacent to the Parliament building and thereby “obstructing the movement of the public,” and issued a verbal warning as a sanction.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that Rezi Dumbadze committed the administrative offence on 17 December 2025. On 14 January, the protest participant was notified by the Tbilisi City Court that he was required to appear in connection with the alleged “blocking” of the sidewalk.
On 12 December 2025, the “Georgian Dream” party adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the right to freedom of assembly. 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.”
Rezi Dumbadze is the first civil activist to have been found liable under the so-called “sidewalk” cases.
According to civil activist Nata Peradze, administrative offence proceedings have been initiated against her in connection with a post she published on social media concerning Nino Tsilosani, Vice Speaker of the Parliament representing the “Georgian Dream” party. The proceedings were initiated under Article 173¹⁶ of the Code of Administrative Offences. Nata Peradze is accused of insulting Nino Tsilosani in her capacity as a holder of a state-political office.
Article 173¹⁶ provides for a sanction in the form of a fine ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period of up to 45 days. According to the media outlet Batumelebi, the administrative offence report drawn up by a detective includes, as evidentiary material, a screenshot of Nata Peradze’s Facebook post in which she wrote: “Nino Tsilosani’s breed.”
It should be recalled that one day earlier it became known that Ruska Mchedlidze, a participant in civil protest activities, was also subjected to legal action over a post published on social media, following a complaint filed by Nino Jgharkava, a person closely associated with the “Georgian Dream” party. Earlier, in early January, activist Tako Gvilia likewise faced legal action after a complaint was filed by an officer of the Zugdidi Patrol Police in relation to a post published on a social network.The practice of initiating court proceedings against citizens on the basis of posts published on social media commenced after the “Georgian Dream” party adopted, in June 2025 and under an expedited legislative procedure, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression.
The amendments primarily concerned the regulation of defamation. In particular, the statutory definition of defamation was revised by removing the element of harm, which had previously constituted an essential prerequisite for qualifying a statement as defamatory. Shortly after the amendments entered into force, six journalists were subjected to administrative fines for opinions expressed on social media. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association assessed these amendments as constituting an “unjustified restriction on freedom of expression, creating a chilling effect and aimed at instilling fear within society in order to deter individuals from critically evaluating the actions of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and its political representatives.”
Ruska Mchedlidze, a member of the political party “Akhali” and civic activist reported on social media that administrative proceedings have been initiated against her in connection with a comment posted on Facebook. As established, the complainant is Nino Jgharkava, a propagandist closely associated with the “Georgian Dream” party, who filed a complaint regarding a post written about her. In the post, Ruska Mchedlidze referred to Nino Jgharkava as a person allegedly engaged in an informal romantic relationship with the father of former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
Administrative proceedings against Ruska Mchedlidze have been initiated under Article 166 of the Code of Administrative Offences (petty hooliganism — use of obscene language in a public space, insulting or offensive conduct toward citizens, or other similar actions that violate public order and/or disturb public peace). The cited provision provides for a sanction in the form of a fine ranging from 500 to 3,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period of up to 20 days. A court hearing in the case is scheduled for 28 January.
This is not the first instance in which a civil activist has faced legal action in connection with content published on social media. In early January, activist Tako Gvilia faced administrative proceedings following a complaint filed by an officer of the Zugdidi Patrol Police in relation to a post published on a social network.
The bank accounts of Davit Jincharadze, founder of the Freedom Fund, political technologies researcher, and civic activist, have been subject to seizure. He received notification of the enforcement measure on 20 January from the Bank of Georgia. In an interview with the outlet Batumelebi, Davit Jincharadze stated that the administrative offense report imposing the fine was not served on him, and that he became aware of the existence of the fine only while crossing the state border. According to him, information regarding the fine cannot be found on either protocol.ge or police.ge. As he was informed at the border, a fine was issued in his name on 5 September 2025. “There was a protest on Melikishvili Avenue, where I was using a megaphone,” he stated.
Davit Jincharadze founded the Freedom Fund to support participants of pro-European protests and political prisoners. The Fund operates a foreign bank account. He stated that he had also used bank accounts in Georgia to assist protest participants; however, due to the risk of enforcement seizure, he refrained from holding significant sums in those accounts.
Criminal prosecution has been initiated against civic activist Isako Devidze, who was administratively detained pursuant to administrative proceedings. The information was made public by his sister, Mari Devidze. She reported that on the evening of 17 January, she contacted the temporary detention isolator for a routine family inquiry and was informed that the activist was no longer being held there. It later became known that Isako Devidze had been transferred to Gldani Penitentiary Establishment No. 8 without prior notification to his family.
According to the family, criminal proceedings against the activist have been initiated under Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which criminalizes contempt of court and provides for a penalty of up to one year of imprisonment.
Isako Devidze was administratively detained on 20 December 2025 during a protest on Rustaveli Avenue on the grounds of the alleged verbal insult of a police officer. On 22 December, Judge Zviad Tsekvava imposed 30 days of administrative detention. The term of administrative detention was set to expire on 19 January. Neither the family nor the defense counsel were informed that the court was considering the application of a preventive (custodial) measure in relation to Isako Devidze.
