Convicted prisoner Artem Gribul has accused a staff member of Gldani Prison, whom inmates reportedly know as “Makho,” of degrading treatment. The information was shared by his lawyer, Daria Samodurova.
According to the lawyer, the first incident occurred on 23 February. She states that the prison officer verbally insulted Gribul, threatened to place him in a disciplinary cell, and told him that he “personally resolves and controls everything in the prison.” Samodurova reports that the incident began after Gribul’s cellmate was taken to a disciplinary cell for requesting to call the Public Defender, while Gribul refused an order to pack his cellmate’s belongings.
The lawyer further states that following the incident, Gribul and his cellmate were transferred to another, smaller cell and later moved to so-called quarantine facilities. According to her, the conditions in both the disciplinary cell and quarantine unit were poor, including unsanitary conditions, cockroaches, and an inadequate living environment. Daria Samodurova has indicated that she is preparing a complaint to be submitted to the Prosecutor’s Office, and that the Office of the Public Defender has also been informed of the situation.Artem Gribul and his partner, Anastasia Zinovkina, both Russian citizens, were arrested in Georgia on 17 December 2024. The prosecution charged them with the purchase and possession of a particularly large quantity of narcotic substances. On 12 September 2025, the court sentenced both individuals to 8.5 years of imprisonment. They deny the charges and claim that their arrest was linked to their participation in pro-European protests in Georgia.
A new administrative proceeding has been initiated against civil activist Baia Margishvili, who has already been placed under administrative detention twice on charges of blocking a roadway. In addition, a criminal case against her is currently pending before the court concerning the tearing of court documents, which carries a potential sentence of up to two years of imprisonment.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs now accuses Margishvili of insulting law enforcement officers. Under the Code of Administrative Offences, this act is punishable by a fine ranging from 500 to 6,000 GEL or administrative detention for up to 60 days.
According to Margishvili, the case relates to statements she made regarding Prosecutor Irakli Tsirekidze of the General Inspection, Victim Coordinator Ana Gamezardashvili, and Prosecutor Giorgi Dolakidze, who were involved in the investigation of a sexual violence complaint she filed two years ago. Margishvili states that the case remains unresolved to date and that she is now being accused of insulting the prosecutors and the coordinator involved in that investigation.
The case is being considered by Judge Tornike Kapanadze of the Tbilisi City Court. The hearing is scheduled for 4 March at 15:00.
On 2 March, Judge Manuchar Tsatsua of the Tbilisi City Court found protest participant Levan Samadashvili liable for an administrative offence and imposed a sanction of four days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that Samadashvili had blocked a roadway during a protest held on 7 February.
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.
On 2 March, Judge Nino Enukidze of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist Sandro Mirtkhulava liable for an administrative offense related to a protest held on a sidewalk. The court, however, exempted him from administrative liability and issued a verbal warning. The Ministry of Internal Affairs had accused Mirtkhulava of obstructing pedestrian movement.
At a hearing held on 19 February, Judge Enukidze had postponed consideration of the case, citing a constitutional complaint filed with the Constitutional Court. On 5 February, a constitutional claim titled “Sandro Mirtkhulava v. the Parliament of Georgia and the Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia” was registered with the Constitutional Court, challenging recent amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations on the grounds that they violate constitutionally protected rights. The court subsequently decided to resume the proceedings and deliver its decision.
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.”
Lawyer of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), Giorgi Gotsiridze, has been required to appear before the court in connection with a protest held on a sidewalk. The court hearing is scheduled for 16 March. It has been reported that the case will be examined by Judge Davit Makaradze of the Tbilisi City Court.
“Giorgi is an experienced constitutional lawyer who has worked for many years on issues related, inter alia, to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly in Georgia. Today, he himself has become a target of unconstitutional regulation. Holding a person liable merely for standing on a sidewalk constitutes an unjustified restriction of the freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution,” – wrote the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association.Administrative proceedings against citizens in relation to sidewalk protests commenced following legislative amendments adopted by Georgian Dream on 12 December 2025. 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.” In the so-called “sidewalk cases,” court proceedings have already concluded in relation to more than 20 activists. Some of them were subjected to administrative detention, while others (predominantly women) received verbal warnings. Administrative proceedings have also been initiated against a number of other activists, while court hearings in their cases have not yet been scheduled.
Judge Davit Makaradze of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist and professor at Georgian Technical University, Temur Berianidze, liable for an administrative offence related to a protest on the sidewalk and imposed a fine of 5,000 GEL. Berianidze is a veteran of the War in Abkhazia (1992–1993) and holds the status of a person with a disability. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that on 17 December 2025 Berianidze created an obstruction to pedestrian movement on the sidewalk near the Parliament of Georgia in Tbilisi.Administrative proceedings against citizens in relation to sidewalk protests commenced following legislative amendments adopted by Georgian Dream on 12 December 2025. 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.” In the so-called “sidewalk cases,” court proceedings have already concluded in relation to more than 20 activists. Some of them were subjected to administrative detention, while others (predominantly women) received verbal warnings. Administrative proceedings have also been initiated against a number of other activists, while court hearings in their cases have not yet been scheduled.
Judge Davit Makaradze of the Tbilisi City Court found two civil activists liable for administrative offences related to the alleged blocking of a roadway. One of them, Zura Papiashvili, was subjected to four days of administrative detention, while the other, Tamo Gogolidze, received a verbal warning.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that Zura Papiashvili blocked a roadway on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi during the “Saturday March” on 31 January 2026. Tamo Gogolidze was also accused of blocking a roadway during the “Saturday March” held on 7 February 2026.
Blocking a roadway became a punishable offence following the adoption of restrictive legislative amendments by the ruling party, Georgian Dream. This conduct is prohibited under Article 174¹, paragraph 10 of the Code of Administrative Offences. Subsequently, the scope of the same provision was expanded to include standing on the sidewalk, on the basis of which participants in demonstrations are also being held administratively liable. A violation of this provision entails administrative detention for up to 15 days (and up to 20 days for an organizer). Administrative detention does not apply to pregnant women, mothers with children under the age of 12, persons under the age of 18, or persons with pronounced or significant disabilities. Instead, they are subject to a fine of 5,000 GEL, or 15,000 GEL if the person is an organizer. Repeated commission of the same act entails criminal liability.
According to Daria Samodurova, the lawyer of prisoner of conscience and Russian activist Artem Gribul, her client was verbally abused by a prison officer and threatened with placement in solitary confinement and the fabrication of a new criminal case.
According to Samodurova, the incident began with a dispute between a prison officer, reportedly identified as “Makho,” and Gribul’s cellmate. Following the altercation, the officer transferred the inmate to solitary confinement and instructed Artem Gribul and other inmates in the cell to collect the prisoner’s belongings. The lawyer states that after Gribul refused to do so, the officer verbally insulted him and threatened to place him in solitary confinement. According to Samodurova, other prison staff later attempted to de-escalate the situation.Artem Gribul was arrested together with his partner, Anastasia Zinovkina, on 17 December 2024. The prosecution accused them of the acquisition and possession of a particularly large quantity of narcotic substances. On 12 September 2025, Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced both individuals to eight years and six months’ imprisonment. Gribul and Zinovkina deny the charges and state that they were detained in connection with their participation in pro-European protests in Georgia. Both are Russian citizens who had been residing temporarily in Georgia and had taken part in pro-European demonstrations during the months they lived in Tbilisi.
The Tbilisi Court of Appeals upheld the verdict delivered against Davit Khomeriki, who was detained during pro-European protests in December 2024. The decision was issued by Judge Paata Silagadze.
Davit Khomeriki had previously been sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment by Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court on charges of preparing an explosion. According to the prosecution, Khomeriki was in possession of an explosive device. The defence disputes the allegation and requested that the Court of Appeals overturn the conviction and find Khomeriki not guilty.
In Khomeriki’s case, the Public Defender of Georgia submitted an amicus curiae brief. The Public Defender’s Office considers that the conviction of Davit Khomeriki, who was detained during the December protests, is based on evidence obtained in violation of criminal procedural law.
The Tbilisi City Court found civil activist Nikoloz Tkemaladze liable for an administrative offence related to the alleged blocking of a roadway and subjected him to five days of administrative detention. Judge Davit Makaradze issued the decision. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that on 7 February 2026, during the “Saturday March,” Tkemaladze blocked a roadway on Rustaveli Avenue
Blocking a roadway became a punishable offence following the adoption of restrictive legislative amendments by the ruling party, Georgian Dream. This conduct is prohibited under Article 174¹, paragraph 10 of the Code of Administrative Offences. Subsequently, the scope of the same provision was expanded to include standing on the sidewalk, on the basis of which participants in demonstrations are also being held administratively liable. A violation of this provision entails administrative detention for up to 15 days (and up to 20 days for an organizer). Administrative detention does not apply to pregnant women, mothers with children under the age of 12, persons under the age of 18, or persons with pronounced or significant disabilities. Instead, they are subject to a fine of 5,000 GEL, or 15,000 GEL if the person is an organizer. Repeated commission of the same act entails criminal liability.
