Persecution Due to Civil Activism

Pro-Government Channels Launch Campaign against Comedian Onise Okriashvili and YouTube Project “Punchline Therapy”

A discrediting campaign has been launched in pro-government media outlets against comedian and activist Onise Okriashvili, as well as the YouTube project “Punchline Therapy.” The campaign followed one episode of the show, in which Okriashvili is one of the co-hosts, together with Anastasia Bendukidze and Irakli Jabua.

Initially, TV channel Imedi referred to Onise Okriashvili as an “opposition activist” and stated that, in the podcast, he had used hate speech directed at writer Nodar Dumbadze. Later, Rustavi 2 also prepared a story with similar content, portraying “Punchline Therapy” as a podcast built on insulting, mocking, and dignity-degrading rhetoric.

Rustavi 2’s story claimed that the targets of the hosts’ degrading jokes included clergy members, street vendors, elderly people, and Nodar Dumbadze. The story also included comments from the ruling party, alleging that podcasts of this kind serve to normalize hate speech, increase polarization, and establish “anti-Georgian rules,” which, according to them, are also financially supported by “external actors.”

Onise Okriashvili published a video statement on social media in response to the controversy surrounding him. According to his explanation, no insult was made against Nodar Dumbadze in the podcast. Okriashvili stated that the conversation took place in a hypothetical context and that the phrase was intended to illustrate the absurdity of hatred toward the writer.

Okriashvili is a comedian who has recently been actively involved in the protest movement. He participates in various solidarity actions, including protests against restrictions on freedom of expression and unlawful detentions. According to his supporters, the campaign launched against him is another example of attempts to discredit people who are active in the protest movement and hold critical views. Supporters also state that pro-government channels presented the podcast phrase out of context and attempted to use it to stir up public aggression. In their assessment, the campaign aims to discredit not only Onise Okriashvili, but also people who publicly express critical positions toward the authorities.

Patrol Police Called to Train Carrying Parents of Protest Detainees to Batumi over Banners

On 19 July, parents of persons detained during protest rallies travelled by train to Batumi to distribute newspapers. Before departure, they reported that the parents travelling to Batumi had been stopped because they were carrying banners and photos of their detained children.

Patrol police were called to the scene. According to reports, the railway administration cited the presence of banners as the reason for calling the police. As a result, the Tbilisi-Batumi train departed approximately 20 minutes late.

“We are heading to Adjara. The train left 20 minutes late because the railway called the patrol police, saying they should make us remove the banners. Unbelievable nonsense! We continue the fight. They may stop the train, but they cannot stop the parents and family members of prisoners of conscience!” Teona Chalidze wrote on social media.

According to Chalidze, no one has the right to prohibit parents from carrying photos of their detained children. “A train is public transport, and everyone has the right to freedom of movement,” stated Chalidze, who was on the train together with the parents.

Later, according to The Ajara Times, in Batumi, on the territory of the so-called “Khopa” market, where parents of persons detained during various protest rallies were holding an information meeting, several individuals verbally confronted them. At the time, the parents were distributing informational newspapers to citizens and speaking with them about the detainees’ cases.

Giorgi Gogia Fined GEL 3,000 over a Facebook Post Concerning Bera Ivanishvili

Citizen Giorgi Gogia was fined GEL 3,000 on the grounds of allegedly insulting Bera Ivanishvili, the son of the honorary chair of Georgian Dream. The decision was delivered by Judge Tornike Kochkiani of Tbilisi City Court.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused Giorgi Gogia, under Article 166 of the Code of Administrative Offences, of verbal abuse in a public space, classified as petty hooliganism. According to the Ministry, Gogia insulted Bera Ivanishvili, the son of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder and honorary chair of Georgian Dream, on the social network Facebook. The MIA qualified as a possible administrative offence a post written on 14 June, in which Giorgi Gogia shared a statement by Bera Ivanishvili and wrote: “said the son of a b***h who had Irakli Gharibashvili running around schools to beat up children.”

Administrative proceedings against citizens over opinions expressed in the public space are being initiated on the basis of reports drawn up by the newly created MIA Division for Combating Hate Speech. The new division has been operating within the MIA since 1 June. Its mandate is to monitor and proactively identify publicly disseminated statements that are degrading to human dignity, insulting, or contain hate speech, where such statements may contain elements of an administrative offence.

According to Radio Liberty, between 1 June and 2 July, after the division became operational, it identified 170 alleged administrative offences, of which 150 cases have already been submitted to court. Decisions have already been delivered in 33 of these 150 cases: 31 individuals were fined, while two individuals received verbal warnings. Most of those fined are citizens and activists.

Civil Activist Giorgi Melitauri Fined over a Facebook Comment Concerning His Friend

Civil activist Giorgi Melitauri was fined GEL 2,000 on the grounds of allegedly posting an insulting comment on Facebook in connection with his friend.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused Giorgi Melitauri, under Article 166 of the Code of Administrative Offences, of verbal abuse in a public space, classified as petty hooliganism. The case concerns a comment Melitauri posted under one of Mtavari TV’s Facebook posts. The post concerned an attack on Melitauri’s friend, photographer Levan Zazadze. Melitauri’s comment was directed at the person who had attacked Zazadze and included profanity. The MIA’s Division for Combating Hate Speech treated the comment as an insult against his friend and drew up an administrative offence report.

At the court hearing, the MIA representative stated that it did not matter at whom the insult was directed. “They accused me of insulting [Levan Zazadze], but when they realized that the profanity was directed not at Levan Zazadze, but at his attacker, they said that it did not matter whether I insulted anyone or not; what mattered was that I had used obscene language in a public space,” Melitauri told Publika.

Administrative proceedings against citizens over opinions expressed in the public space are being initiated on the basis of administrative offence reports drawn up by the newly created MIA Division for Combating Hate Speech. The new division has been operating within the MIA since 1 June. Its mandate is to monitor and proactively identify publicly disseminated statements that are degrading to human dignity, insulting, or contain hate speech, where such statements may contain elements of an administrative offence.

Besik Andghuladze, Living in Emigration, Fined GEL 4,000 on Grounds of Allegedly Insulting MP Eka Chichinadze

On 6 July 2026, Georgian citizen Besik Andghuladze, who is currently abroad, was fined GEL 4,000 on the grounds of allegedly insulting Eka Chichinadze, a Georgian Dream MP and member of Parliament. The decision was delivered by Judge Nino Enukidze of Tbilisi City Court. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused Andghuladze of committing an act under Article 173¹⁶(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concerns the verbal insult and verbal abuse of a state-political official.

Andghuladze’s lawyer explained to the court that there was no evidence reliably establishing that the author of the comment was indeed Besik Andghuladze. Nevertheless, the judge did not accept this argument and found him administratively liable.

Writer and Protest Participant Beka Kurkhuli Fined over Opinions Expressed on Social Media

On 6 July 2026, writer and protest participant Beka Kurkhuli was fined GEL 3,000 on the grounds of allegedly publishing insulting posts on social media. The decision was delivered by Judge Nino Enukidze of Tbilisi City Court.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused Beka Kurkhuli of verbal abuse in a public space, classified as petty hooliganism. According to the Ministry, Kurkhuli published several posts, comments, and videos on Facebook in which he “uses obscene words and phrases,” some of which were directed at Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chair of Georgian Dream, and Gia Gachechiladze, a presenter on Maestro.

Beka Kurkhuli told TV Pirveli that the case also concerned an opinion he had expressed on television. According to him, several weeks earlier, while speaking on TV Pirveli, he discussed the problems he faced at the border upon returning from Ukraine and criticized Bidzina Ivanishvili, which was treated as an insult.

Civil Activist Nino Kalandia’s Bank Account Seized for the Second Time

On 7 July 2026, the personal bank account of civil activist Nino Kalandia, the mother of a child with a disability, was seized for the second time in connection with her participation in protest rallies. According to Kalandia, five additional fines issued against her have been submitted to the National Bureau of Enforcement.

Kalandia’s bank accounts were first seized on 29 May over her participation in protest rallies. At that time, the seizure was imposed both on her personal bank account and on the pension account of her 13-year-old child with a disability, which had been opened in her name.

Civil Activist Isako Devidze Enters Plea Agreement Providing for One Year of Imprisonment

On 13 July 2026, it was reported that a plea agreement had been concluded with civil activist Isako Devidze in a case concerning contempt of court. Under the terms of the plea agreement, he was sentenced to one year of imprisonment. The agreement was approved by Judge Nino Nachkebia of Tbilisi City Court.

Isako Devidze was charged with contempt of court through insulting a judge, an offence under Article 366(2) of the Criminal Code. The charge relates to an incident that occurred during the court hearing in which his administrative detention case was being examined.

Isako Devidze was arrested on 20 December 2025 during a protest on Rustaveli Avenue on the grounds of allegedly insulting a police officer. On 22 December, Judge Zviad Tsekvava was hearing his case. During the court hearing, Devidze struck the judge’s work computer with his hand, causing the monitor to fall onto the desk. Devidze was removed from the courtroom and a recess was announced. After the hearing resumed, Judge Tsekvava imposed 30 days of administrative detention on the activist in the administrative case concerning the alleged insult of a police officer.

Devidze’s term of administrative detention was due to expire on 19 January. On 17 January, his family learned that a criminal investigation had been launched against him in connection with the incident that occurred during the court hearing. Devidze was remanded in pre-trial detention in the new case. Since his detention in the criminal case is counted from 17 January, the activist will remain in prison for another four months.

Incidents Recorded Against Civil Activists – September 2025

Context

The incidents documented in September 2025 indicate a further intensification of repressive practices against civil activists and individuals associated with the protest movement. During the reporting period, the use of imprisonment and criminal prosecution against participants in pro-European protests was particularly notable, including the imposition of multi-year prison sentences on individuals accused of participating in group actions, drug-related offences, and other criminal offences. In numerous cases, the accused stated that the criminal proceedings were linked to their participation in the protests.

The documented cases also included administrative arrests, the imposition of financial sanctions, incidents of physical violence and intimidation, including group attacks against activists and threatening incidents. Certain episodes also revealed restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and expression, where law enforcement officers prevented demonstrators from exercising their right to protest or used force against them.

At the same time, investigative actions against non-governmental organisations and their representatives continued within the framework of the so-called “Masks Case”, targeting activities related to supporting civil society.

Incidents

On 2 September 2025, Judge Jvebe Nachkebia of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Anton Chechin, who had been detained during the pro-European protests on drug-related charges, to 8 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. Chechin had been charged with the possession of a particularly large quantity of narcotic substances. He denies the charges and claims that the narcotics were planted on him because of his participation in the protests. He was arrested on 3 December. According to Chechin, his arrest had been preceded by an incident on 18 November, when he was taken from a protest to a police station and threatened with consequences if he continued participating in demonstrations.

On 2 September 2025, during a protest held on Rustaveli Avenue outside the Parliament building, where demonstrators were protesting statements made by Tea Tsulukiani within the framework of the Georgian Dream parliamentary investigative commission, the Ministry of Internal Affairs administratively detained 23 individuals. Protesters attempted to block the roadway, but law enforcement officers prevented them from doing so and forcibly detained several individuals on the pavement. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, those detained had failed to comply with lawful police orders.

On 3 September 2025, Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili of the Tbilisi City Court reclassified the charges against all eight defendants detained in connection with the pro-European protests and found them guilty under Article 226 of the Criminal Code, which concerns the organisation of or participation in group actions.

Three of them—Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vefkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadzelashvili—were sentenced to 2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. The prosecution had originally charged all three under Article 225(1) of the Criminal Code with organising group violence.

The remaining five defendants—Irakli Miminoshvili, Giorgi Gorgadze, Tornike Goshadze, Insaf Aliyev, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili—were each sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment. They had originally been charged under Article 225(2)of the Criminal Code with participation in organised group violence.

On 3 September 2025, Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced all eleven defendants detained in connection with the pro-European protests—Revaz Kiknadze, Valeri Tetriashvili, Giorgi Terishvili, Andro Chichinadze, Onise Tskhadadze, Ruslan Sivakov, Irakli Kerashvili, Luka Jabuia, Jano Archaia, Sergei Kukharchuk, and Guri Mirtskhulava—to 2 years’ imprisonment each.

The prosecution had charged all eleven under Article 225(2) of the Criminal Code with participation in organised group violence. As in the case of the previous eight defendants, Judge Galustashvili reclassified the charges and found them guilty under Article 226 of the Criminal Code, concerning the organisation of or participation in group actions.

On 3 September 2025, Judge Jvebe Nachkebia of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Saba Skhvitaridze, who had been detained during the pro-European protests, to 2 years’ imprisonment. Initially, the prosecution accused him of assaulting police officer Mirian Kavtaradze. However, on 24 July, the Prosecutor’s Office reclassified the charge to intentional minor bodily injury under Article 120(1) of the Criminal Code.

On 3 September 2025, activist Mariam Meqantsishvili was assaulted by Beka Gotsiridze, a supporter of Georgian Dream. According to Meqantsishvili, while she was on Melikishvili Avenue, where a protest march coincided with the opening of Kakha Kaladze’s election headquarters, Gotsiridze threw a cigarette butt at her and struck her.

On 4 September 2025, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced activist Albi Kordzaia to 12 days of administrative detention. The case concerned his detention during the 2 September protest outside Parliament, where demonstrators protested statements made by Tea Tsulukiani before the Georgian Dream parliamentary commission.

On 4 September 2025, the Tbilisi City Court examined the administrative cases of individuals detained during the 2 September protest on Rustaveli Avenue. Activists Luka Devdariani, Nika Kordzadze, and Davit Gunashvili were each fined GEL 5,000. (The source text incorrectly states “2024”; this appears to be a typographical error, as the case concerns the events of 2 September 2025.)

On 8 September 2025, supporters of Georgian Dream physically attacked demonstrators gathered outside Kakha Kaladze’s election headquarters. Video footage published by media outlets shows activists being assaulted. The confrontations continued intermittently for several hours. According to participants, despite being present at the scene, the police failed to effectively prevent the attacks, even though, according to activists, some of the perpetrators could have been identified. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that an investigation had been launched into group violence.

On 10 September 2025, Megi Diasamidze was arrested on charges of damaging one of Kakha Kaladze’s election banners. The 23-year-old activist was detained under Article 187 of the Criminal Code, which criminalises the destruction or damage of another person’s property. The offence is punishable by a fine, community service, house arrest for a period of six months to two years, or imprisonment for one to five years. On 12 September, Judge Davit Kurtanidze imposed bail of GEL 2,000 as a preventive measure, and Diasamidze was released from the courtroom.

On 12 September 2025, Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Anastasia Zinovkina and Artem Gribul, who had been detained during the pro-European protests on drug-related charges, to 8 years and 6 months’ imprisonment each. Zinovkina and Gribul were arrested on 17 December and charged with possession of a particularly large quantity of narcotic substances. Both deny the charges and state that the narcotics were planted on them during personal and residential searches because of their participation in the protests. Both had previously participated in demonstrations against Vladimir Putin in Russia.

On 12 September 2025, public servant Tako Kavkasidze stated that she had been dismissed on political grounds. According to Kavkasidze, she had publicly distanced herself from Georgian Dream’s decision to suspend the country’s European integration process by signing a public petition. She further stated that another signatory of the same pro-European petition had also been dismissed from public service.

On 15 September 2025, participants in a protest march travelling from the building of the Public Broadcaster to the intersection of Rustaveli Avenue and Besiki Street were verbally and physically confronted by several individuals. According to activists, one of the attackers was allegedly carrying a firearm and a knife. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that, following the incident, an individual born in 2009 was arrested on charges of the illegal acquisition, possession, and carrying of firearms and ammunition.

On 23 September 2025, according to Mariam Nikuradze, Director and photojournalist of OC MEDIA, demonstrators participating in the so-called “zebra crossing protests” near the Atoneli Residence in Tbilisi were deliberately struck by a vehicle.

Nikuradze stated that activist Mariam Meqantsishvili lost consciousness twice and was transported by ambulance. A second injured person, Lizi Ubilava, was also taken to hospital. According to the police, the incident had been referred to the competent authority, although it remained unclear whether a criminal investigation had been formally initiated.

On 29 September 2025, activist Gela Khasaia, a member of Girchi – More Freedom, was arrested. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he was detained on charges of intentional minor bodily injury, and the investigation was being conducted under Article 120 of the Criminal Code. According to his lawyer, the case concerns a conflict that occurred on 1 September at Station Square involving individuals unknown to Khasaia. The lawyer further stated that while Khasaia was held at the police station, he was subjected to verbal abuse and psychological pressure. According to counsel, one police officer reminded him of an earlier incident in which the officer had threatened that Khasaia would eventually be arrested under criminal law.

The so-called “Masks Case”

Within the framework of the so-called “Masks Case”, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia summoned several representatives of civil society for questioning before a magistrate judge. On 4 September, Giorgi Mshvenieradze, Chair of the organisation Guardians of Democracy, was questioned before the Tbilisi City Court. According to him, the Prosecutor’s questions concerned his individual Facebook posts, the organisation’s financial documentation, and the organisation of the 2024 protest demonstrations.

On 8 September, Levan Natroshvili, Executive Director of the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), was questioned in connection with the same case.

On 17 September, Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, and Lela Tsiskarishvili, Chair of the Tbilisi Human Rights House and Director of the Georgian Centre for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT), were questioned before a magistrate judge. According to their statements, the questioning focused on activities related to the protest movement, including support provided to protesters, payment of administrative fines, legal assistance, and the procurement of various types of equipment and supplies.

The so-called “Masks Case” stems from a criminal investigation launched by the Prosecutor’s Office on 8 February 2025, conducted under Articles 318(1), 19 in conjunction with Article 318(2), Article 319, and Article 321¹(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

Within the framework of the investigation, on 7 August, the Prosecutor’s Office froze the bank accounts of seven non-governmental organisations: the Civil Society Foundation, ISFED, IDFI, GDI, Guardians of Democracy, Sapari, and the Social Justice Center. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the organisations’ designated funds had been used to purchase equipment such as gas masks, protective goggles, face masks, face coverings, pepper spray, and other items allegedly used by protesters during violent confrontations with the police. The Prosecutor’s Office also treated the provision of legal assistance to detained and fined protesters as part of the alleged criminal conduct.

Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – October 2025

Context

The incidents documented in October 2025 indicate a further intensification of repressive practices related to protest activities. Within the framework of the present monitoring, 18 documented incidents demonstrate that both administrative and criminal prosecution of protest participants actively continued throughout the month. Courts imposed administrative detention on numerous individuals, while the Ministry of Internal Affairs launched mass detentions on the grounds of road obstruction and covering one’s face.

During the same period, Georgian Dream adopted legislative amendments that significantly tightened restrictions related to the freedoms of assembly and expression. In parallel, a case of a physical attack against activists was also documented.

Incidents

On 1 October 2025, Judge Nana Shamatava of the Tbilisi City Court granted the Prosecutor’s Office’s motion and imposed pre-trial detention as a preventive measure on Gela Khasaia, an activist of the Coalition for Change. Khasaia was charged under Article 118(2) of the Criminal Code (intentional less serious bodily injury committed by a group), which provides for a prison sentence of between four and six years.

The activist had been arrested by representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on 29 September. According to his lawyer, the case concerns a conflict that occurred on 1 September near Station Square, involving individuals unknown to Gela Khasaia, which he merely witnessed. Lawyer Omar Purtseladze stated that while Khasaia was held at the police station, he was subjected to verbal abuse and psychological pressure. According to Purtseladze, one police officer reminded Khasaia of an earlier incident in which the officer had promised that Khasaia would be “arrested under criminal law.”

On 3 October 2025, students who had gathered on Metekhi Bridge to make a public statement were attacked by unidentified individuals and physically assaulted. Igor Narmania, Chairperson of the United National Movement’s Youth Organisation, was injured. The attackers also physically assaulted a minor activist, who was reportedly struck on the head with a piece of metal.

On 9 October 2025, Judge Giorgi Gelashvili of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced poet Zviad Ratiani to two years’ imprisonment. The Prosecutor’s Office had charged the poet under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code for attacking a police officer; however, the judge reclassified the charge under Article 353(1) of the Criminal Code, which criminalises resistance against a police officer with the purpose of obstructing, terminating, or altering the officer’s activities in maintaining public order. Zviad Ratiani had been arrested on 23 June 2025 after slapping police officer Teimuraz Meshvelashvili outside the Parliament building in Tbilisi.

On 16 October 2025, Georgian Dream adopted, at third reading, amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences that restrict the forms of protest available to demonstrators. Under the expedited legislative package, a new paragraph 10 was added to Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences, introducing mandatory administrative detention for participants in assemblies or demonstrations who commit any of the following acts:

covering one’s face with a mask or by any other means;
possessing tear gas, nerve agents and/or poisonous substances;
intentionally creating obstacles to the movement of people or vehicles;
erecting temporary structures where such structures obstruct police efforts to maintain public order and safety;
partially or fully blocking the carriageway where, considering the number of participants, the assembly could otherwise be conducted without doing so.

Violation of these provisions is punishable by:

administrative detention for up to 15 days;
where the offender is an organiser, administrative detention for up to 20 days.

The amendments also introduced mandatory administrative detention of up to 60 days where participants:

possess firearms, explosives, flammable materials, radioactive substances, cold weapons, or pyrotechnic items;
possess objects or substances that are used or could be used to cause harm to the life or health of participants or other persons;
participate in an assembly or demonstration that has been terminated upon the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs under Article 13(1) of the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations.

The amendments to the Criminal Code further provide that repeated commission of the above-mentioned acts within one year will constitute a criminal offence punishable by:

imprisonment for up to one year;
imprisonment for up to two years if committed repeatedly;
for minors, a fine, corrective labour, or imprisonment for up to one year;
where committed by an organiser and resulting in serious consequences, imprisonment for up to four years.

The amendments further provide that a third violation of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences (failure to comply with or insulting a police officer) constitutes a criminal offence punishable by:

imprisonment for up to one year for a third offence;
imprisonment for up to two years if committed repeatedly;
for minors, a fine, corrective labour, or imprisonment for up to one year.

On 16 October 2025, Georgian Dream, under the expedited procedure, adopted at third reading a legislative package providing for restrictions on the right of certain individuals to engage in party activities, hold political office, and participate in elections. Under the legislative package, upon the request of the claimant in proceedings before the Constitutional Court, the Constitutional Court may prohibit a person affiliated with a banned political party from:

establishing a political party;
membership in a political party;
membership in the governing body of a political party;
holding a party position;
standing as a candidate in elections (passive electoral right);
acquiring the mandate of an elected representative or elected public official;
holding political office;
heading a constitutional body.

Where requested by the claimant, granting the constitutional claim will also result in:

termination of the mandate of a Member of Parliament elected through the nomination of the banned political party;
termination of the mandate of a member of another representative body;
removal of a person from a party list.

Registration shall be refused to any political party whose electoral list includes a person prohibited from engaging in party activities or holding political office. A political party that includes such a person on its list shall be subject to a fine.

Likewise, it will be prohibited to include such persons on party lists for parliamentary or local self-government elections. The Central Election Commission will refuse to register such parties for either parliamentary or local elections.

On 17 October 2025, Judge Davit Mamiseishvili of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal reclassified the charge against Giorgi Kuchuashvili from assault on a police officer under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code to resistance to a police officer under Article 353 of the Criminal Code and sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment. Kuchuashvili had been arrested during protests against the so-called “Russian Law” in May 2024. On 4 February 2025, he had been sentenced to four years’ imprisonment. Following the appellate judgment reducing his sentence to two years, he was released from prison on 26 May.

On 19 October 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs administratively detained 12 participants in the protest held on Rustaveli Avenue on 18 October. Those detained were: Lara Nachkebia, Nino Svanidze, Levan Margiani, Giorgi Qiasashvili, Davit Gogichaishvili, Saba Khomeriki, Levan Jobava, Tornike Tkhilava, Gela Gamqrelidze, Vakhtang Machavariani, Lasha Chkhartishvili, and Mamuka Kupreishvili. The wave of detentions followed the legislative amendments adopted by Georgian Dream on 16 October to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences, which significantly restricted the forms of protest available to citizens.

Proceedings concerning the 12 detainees were held before the Tbilisi City Court on 20 October. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused some of the detainees of “artificially blocking the roadway,” while others were charged with covering their faces during the protest.

Seven of the twelve detainees were sentenced to administrative detention:

activist Lara Nachkebia – 4 days (covering the face with a mask);
activist Nino Svanidze – 5 days (blocking the roadway);
painter Levan Margiani – 6 days (blocking the roadway);
activist Giorgi Qiasashvili – 6 days (blocking the roadway);
activist Davit Gogichaishvili – 6 days (covering the face with a mask);
activist Saba Khomeriki – 8 days (blocking the roadway);
activist Levan Jobava – 14 days (blocking the roadway).

On 20 October 2025, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained four participants in the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue: Nino Beruashvili, Saba Japaridze, Tamar Totladze, and Temo Saralidze. Proceedings concerning the detainees were held before the Tbilisi City Court on the same day. The Ministry accused two of them of artificially blocking the roadway and the other two of covering their faces during the protest.

The court imposed administrative detention on all four detainees:

activist Nino Beruashvili – 4 days (blocking the roadway);
actor Saba Japaridze – 6 days (covering the face during the protest);
activist Tamar Totladze – 6 days (blocking the roadway);
activist Temo Saralidze – 6 days (covering the face during the protest).

On 21 October 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs began detaining participants in the Rustaveli Avenue protest from the early morning. During the day, law enforcement officers detained five additional activists: Beka Kurkhuli, Kakha Mikaia, Konstantine Mikaia, Boris Kutsia, and Imeda Kldiashvili. All of them were accused either of covering their faces during the protest or of “artificially blocking the roadway.” The Tbilisi City Court imposed administrative detention on all five activists for violating the newly introduced protest-related regulations.

Specifically:

Beka Kurkhuli – 8 days of administrative detention;
Kakha Mikaia – 14 days of administrative detention;
Konstantine Mikaia – 14 days of administrative detention;
Imeda Kldiashvili – 9 days of administrative detention.

On 22 October 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement. According to the Ministry, during the previous three days, after the new law restricting freedom of expression entered into force, police detained 53 individuals, more than 40 of whom had already been found to have committed administrative offences. Within the framework of the present monitoring, 22 cases were documented. In addition, between 19 and 21 October, the Ministry of Internal Affairs detained three journalists together with activists. Based on the data published by the Ministry, it was not possible to identify an additional 28 detained persons.

On 22 October 2025, during a protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the Ministry of Internal Affairs administratively detained up to 20 citizens. The wave of detentions followed the amendments adopted by Georgian Dream on 16 October to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences, which significantly restricted the forms of protest available to citizens. The Ministry of Internal Affairs began administrative detentions at the Rustaveli protest on 18 October on the grounds of unlawful blocking of the roadway and covering one’s face.

On 22 October 2025, 48-year-old Tamar Lortkipanidze was arrested during the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue for climbing onto a patrol police vehicle.

Footage circulated by citizens shows Tamar, together with several other protest participants, first sitting on the roadway, then standing up, spreading her arms, and attempting to stop the movement of vehicles. Approximately two minutes later, a patrol police vehicle appears in the footage from Freedom Square. Tamar then stands several metres in front of the police vehicle and spreads her arms. A few seconds later, she runs towards the patrol vehicle, climbs onto it, and stands on its roof. Shortly afterwards, Tamar Lortkipanidze climbs down from the vehicle on her own and again stands on the roadway with her arms spread. For this act, the Ministry of Internal Affairs initially accused her of an offence under Article 239 of the Criminal Code. However, on 24 October, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia aggravated the charge and now accuses the activist of violence and attacking a police vehicle.

Tamar Lortkipanidze is charged with:

violence causing physical pain to the victim, under Article 126(1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia;
attacking a police vehicle in connection with the official activities of a police officer, an offence under Article 353¹(1) of the Criminal Code.

If convicted, she faces four to seven years’ imprisonment. As for the preventive measure, on 25 October Judge Nana Shamatava imposed pre-trial detention on Tamar Lortkipanidze.

On 22 October 2025, disability rights advocate Gia Jvarsheishvili was detained during the protest on Rustaveli Avenue. On 24 October, Judge Zviad Tsekvava of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced the detained activist to 10 days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused him of petty hooliganism and failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer.

On 22 October 2025, during the protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) administratively detained approximately 20 individuals. The wave of detentions followed the amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offences adopted by Georgian Dream on 16 October, which significantly restricted the forms of protest available to citizens. The MIA began administratively detaining participants in the Rustaveli Avenue protests on 18 October on the grounds of unlawfully blocking the roadway and covering their faces.

On 24 October 2025, police detained several activists for participating in the protest held on Rustaveli Avenue on 23 October and for blocking the avenue. Those detained included:

Bacho Kimutsadze – member of the Coalition for Change;
Natia Letodiani – member of the Droa party;
Davit Mshvenieradze – law student at Ilia State University (sentenced to 6 days of administrative detention);
Nino Laghidze – environmental education specialist;
Zura Tsetskhladze – father of prisoner of conscience Zviad Tsetskhladze;
Tengo Kirtadze – member of the Federalists party;
Anuka Gamsakhurdia – civil activist;
Dani Maghradze – civil activist;
Zviad Kvaratskhelia – writer, publisher, and television presenter;
Giorgi Liponava – film director and co-founder of Formula TV;
Achi Gochitashvili – student (sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention);
Vaso Beridze – student;
Natia Gogava – civil activist;
Natalia Slepakova – civil activist;
Davit Chkadua – winner of the second student season of the television programme Book Shelf;
Giorgi Melitauri (sentenced to 10 days of administrative detention).

On 29 October 2025, Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili of the Tbilisi City Court replaced the preventive measure imposed on teacher Nino Datashvili from pre-trial detention to bail in the amount of GEL 5,000. Datashvili had been charged under Article 353²(3) of the Criminal Code of Georgia (assault on a public official/court bailiff in the course of performing official duties). Following the decision, the teacher and activist was released from the penitentiary institution. She was given 30 days to pay the bail.

The Prosecutor’s Office announced its motion to replace the preventive measure only a few minutes before the hearing commenced. Datashvili’s lawyers had also requested the replacement of pre-trial detention, arguing that her health had deteriorated significantly while in detention and that she urgently required spinal and cervical surgery. Due to her deteriorating health condition, Datashvili was unable to attend the hearing in person and participated remotely.

On 29 October 2025, Judge Lela Tsagareishvili sentenced researcher Shalva Koghuashvili to six days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused him of an administrative offence under Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences for artificially blocking the roadway during the protest on 27 October.

Between 27 and 31 October 2025, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 29 citizens were detained during protests on Rustaveli Avenue over a five-day period. The Ministry accused them of unlawfully blocking Rustaveli Avenue, conduct which, under the legislative package adopted at third reading on 16 October, is punishable by mandatory administrative detention without the possibility of a fine.