On June 2, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs rejected the appeal and fined Beqa Beridze, a graphic designer from 64, 5,000 GEL.
According to media reports, the Ministry accuses Beqa Beridze of blocking the road on February 11, 2025. Beridze appealed the fine imposed by the Ministry, but the appeal was not upheld. A representative of 64 stated that the decision will be challenged in court.
Since November 28, 2024, around 36 media representatives have been fined while performing their professional duties. Most of these cases are currently under review. So far, two journalists have been found in violation of the law by the court and have been issued administrative fines.
On May 14, 2025, a “yellow level” security alert was declared at the Georgian Parliament building, resulting in restricted access for most media outlets. Only accredited television broadcasters were permitted to enter, and even they were limited to no more than two crews per outlet.
The restrictions were introduced on the same day when the Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili was scheduled to present his annual report and outline the strategic plan for the coming year.
This measure was implemented under the Speaker’s directive (Order No. N1/259/23) issued on September 4, 2023, titled “On the Approval of Security Rules at the Palace of the Parliament of Georgia.” According to the statement, the purpose of the “yellow level” alert was to “ensure a safe and secure working environment at the Parliament.”Since the issuance of this order, non-accredited media have faced repeated restrictions on their ability to operate within the Parliament.
On May 8, 2025, the media was not allowed into a public session at the Samtskhe-Javakheti State Administration, where the new governor was being introduced. This information was reported by TOK2Region.
Former governor of Samtskhe-Javakheti, Besik Amiranashvili, was replaced by Zaal Gelashvili on May 8.
Closing public hearings to independent media is a general trend, and the ruling party “Georgian Dream” has employed this tactic multiple times in the past.
On May 7, 2025, online media was restricted from covering the “Georgian Dream” congress. The official reason given was the limited number of available seats.
The party’s press office urged media representatives to follow the event via livestream.
At the congress, Irakli Kobakhidze was elected as the new chairman of the “Georgian Dream” party.
On February 4, 2025, the Parliament of Georgia imposed a “Yellow” (elevated) security level that restricted journalists’ access to the parliamentary building. The measure is connected with the presentation of Georgian Dream’s President, Mikheil Kavelashvili.
According to the Parliament’s statement, “Only two accredited crews from each TV broadcaster/ TV outlet will be allowed access to the Parliament until the conclusion of the parliamentary event.”
Under this security level, entry is granted only to individuals specifically invited by the relevant structural units and to accredited TV journalists.
Similar restrictions on journalists were imposed several times throughout 2024.
