On June 21, 2025, a court hearing was held at Tbilisi City Court in the case of activist Nino Datashvili, related to a criminal investigation stemming from an incident that took place at the court building on May 9 of this year.
Judge Eka Barbakadze prohibited photo and audio recording during the session without providing any explanation or justification. Only video cameras were allowed to be present in the courtroom.
“At the start of the hearing, Barbakadze said she had received media requests for permission to record video, take photos, and make audio recordings, but she only granted permission for video recording and gave no explanation for denying photo and audio access,” reported the news outlet Publika.
This is not the first instance of media restrictions in courtrooms. Just a few days earlier, Tbilisi City Court Judge Giorgi Arevadze also did not allow the media to operate freely.
On June 23, 2025, a court hearing was held at the Batumi City Court for Mzia Amaglobeili, founder of the online outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti. In addition to the questioning of witnesses, the court also considered a motion to change the preventive measure of detention. However, the judge decided to keep Mzia Amaglobeili in custody.
During the hearing, Amaglobeili’s lawyer, Maia Mtsariashvili, spoke about her deteriorating health condition. According to the lawyer, based on test results from February 4, Mzia Amaglobeili had 30% vision in her right eye and only 0.04% in her left. By February 6, the vision in her right eye had dropped to 10%, and even with glasses, it can reach a maximum of 40%, whereas before her detention, it could reach up to 90%. In her left eye, vision is limited to distinguishing between light and darkness.
Despite the defense emphasizing the severe deterioration of her health, the court did not take this into account and upheld the detention. The court’s decision once again relies generically on the risk of committing a new offense, though the reasoning for this position remains unclear.
We continue to monitor Mzia Amaglobeili’s case, including evaluating how accessible appropriate medical care is for her under prison conditions.
On June 19, 2025, Tbilisi City Court Judge Giorgi Arevadze hampered media representatives’ work during the trial of a “prisoner of conscience”, Archil Muselianti.
According to journalists, the trial was held in a hall divided by a glass door and window, the voices of the speakers could not reach beyond the dividing wall, which is why media representatives asked the judge to place microphones inside, but the judge did not allow them to do so.
Media representatives left the trial because, according to them, there was no sound in the hall and it was impossible to understand the content of the session.
Recently, the judicial system has significantly restricted the activities of the media in relation to the coverage of court proceedings. Between May 22 and June 19, 2025, four cases (on May 22, 23, 29, and 30)were recorded at the Tbilisi City Court when reporters with photo/video cameras were not allowed into the building. On June 10 and 11, the hearing was completely closed to the media, including those who had the right to film. Also on June 11, Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili threatened a Public journalist with a ban on taking photos during the trial. All cases occurred during trials of high public interest, which are considered political cases.
The Media Advocacy Coalition considers the court’s new practice to be illegal. According to the organization, this sets a dangerous precedent and reveals the Georgian Dream’s deliberate restrictive policy towards the media. “Banning media access to court proceedings is not only a violation of the rights of journalists, but also an infringement of the entire society’s right to information,” the statement says.
Since November 28, 2024, during the ongoing pro-European protests in Georgia, journalists have repeatedly faced attacks and unlawful restrictions. There have been numerous cases of media workers being unjustly sanctioned while performing their professional duties — including fines for allegedly blocking roads while reporting on the protests, often without any legitimate basis.
Blocking the road is considered a violation of the rules for organizing and holding assemblies and demonstrations under Article 174¹ of the Administrative Offenses Code. Journalists who are being prosecuted on these grounds were simply carrying out their professional duties during the protests. While demonstrators move onto Rustaveli Avenue and block the roadway, journalists are on the scene — doing live broadcasts, conducting interviews, taking photos and videos, and performing other reporting tasks.
Since November 28, there have been 33 recorded cases of journalists being fined for “blocking the road.”
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Mariam Nikuradze, founder and photographer of OC Media, four times for “blocking the road” — on March 11, March 15, April 2, and April 3. In total, the journalist has been fined 20,000 GEL. Mariam Nikuradze has appealed all the fines. In one of the cases — related to the March 11 road blockage — the Ministry of Internal Affairs rejected her request to have the fine canceled. The remaining cases are still under review. According to the journalist, in all of the incidents mentioned, she was carrying out her professional duties, wearing a press badge, and had a camera with her.
- On May 23, 2025, judge Zviad Tskekvava fined Mariam Kavshbaia, a journalist from Publika, 5,000 GEL. The administrative offense report against her was filed by police on February 3 of this year. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused the journalist of “blocking the road” while performing her professional duties. Mariam Kavshbaia presented evidence to the court — including photos she took that day and her published reports on Publika’s Facebook page. Additionally, video footage submitted by the Ministry itself showed her working during the protest. Despite this, the court upheld the fine and ordered her to pay 5,000 GEL.
- On April 25, 2025, journalist Irina Makaridze was notified that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for allegedly “illegally blocking the road.” According to the journalist, she was on Rustaveli Avenue performing her professional duties, covering the protest for Qronika +.
- On April 12, 2025, Tabula news agency journalist Luka Katsitadze was fined 5,000 GEL for “blocking the road.” The online outlet Tabula reports that on April 12, Luka Katsitadze was on Shota Rustaveli Avenue carrying out his professional duties.
- On April 10, 2025, Formula TV journalist Eliso Jarishvili was informed that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for “illegally blocking the road.” The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses her of blocking the road on March 12, during which time she was performing her professional duties.
- On April 10, photographer Goga Chanadiri was fined 5,000 GEL by Judge Nino Enukidze. He is accused of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue. The photographer responded to the court’s decision on social media, writing that he has attended nearly every rally and protest, covering them in various ways. He considers the fine to be unfair.
- On April 8, 2025, Public Broadcaster journalist Tozu Gulmamedova was notified of a fine. She is accused of “blocking the road” on February 16 of the same year. According to the Public Broadcaster, Tozu Gulmamedova was performing her professional duties at the protest that day.
- Khatia Ghoghoberdze, editor-in-chief of the media outlet April, was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for allegedly “blocking the road” while carrying out her professional duties. The Ministry accuses the journalist of blocking the road on March 29. “In the official notice delivered to Ghoghoberdze, there is no mention of her performing professional duties — she is identified as a protest participant. The journalist plans to appeal the fine in court,” April reports.
- On March 25, 2025, Voice of America’s correspondent in Georgia, Nino Dalakishvili, was fined 5,000 GEL for allegedly blocking the road. She is accused of “blocking the road” at a time when she was performing her professional duties — broadcasting live from the area near the Parliament.
- On March 21, 2025, Netgazeti online outlet journalist Nino Baidauri was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She is accused of “blocking Rustaveli Avenue.”
- On March 19, 2025, Radio Tbilisi journalist Merab Merkviladze received a notice of a 5,000 GEL fine.
- TV Pirveli photojournalist Giorgi Mosiashvili was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Police accuse Mosiashvili of “illegally blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue at 9:03 PM on March 11. In a social media post, Mosiashvili stated that at the time of the fine, he was on Rustaveli Avenue performing his professional duties. This is Mosiashvili’s second fine. The first was issued on February 21, 2025, also for allegedly “blocking the road.” In total, he has received two fines amounting to 10,000 GEL.
- Formula journalist Nano Chakvetadze was fined 5,000 GEL. She is accused of “illegally blocking the road” on March 13, 2025. According to Formula, Nano Chakvetadze was on Rustaveli Avenue that day performing her professional duties.
- On March 9, 2025, Formula TV journalist and talk show host Irakli Tabliashvili was fined for allegedly blocking the road during a protest. As he explains in his video blog, he was handed the fine while returning to Tbilisi from a country house with his wife and young child.
- On February 11, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Beka Beridze, a representative of the online media outlet 64, 5,000 GEL. He is accused of “illegally blocking the road.” Beridze appealed the fine imposed by the Ministry, but the appeal was rejected. The decision is now being challenged in court.
- On February 21, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Radio Liberty journalist Gela Bochikashvili 5,000 GEL for allegedly “blocking the road.” The journalist was performing his professional duties near the Parliament building, covering a protest. He was wearing a press vest and had proper press credentials.
- On February 14, 2025, Publika journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili was fined for allegedly “blocking the road.” Footage published by the journalist shows that he was performing his professional duties, filming the events as they unfolded, and wearing a press badge. On June 6, the Ministry of Internal Affairs rejected the journalist’s appeal. He had submitted evidence confirming that he was carrying out his professional duties and covering the pro-European protest.
- On February 17, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Studio Monitori journalist Nino Tsverava 5,000 GEL for allegedly “blocking the road.” The journalist submitted evidence to the Ministry showing that she was performing her professional duties at the protest. The fine was later revoked.
- On February 17, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined another Studio Monitori journalist, Nino Shubitidze, 5,000 GEL for allegedly “illegally blocking the road.” After evidence was submitted to the Ministry, her fine was also revoked.
- On February 17, 2025, while covering a protest, Radio Liberty journalist Giorgi Diasamidze was also accused of blocking the road. He was informed of this by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on February 21. The Ministry stated that he had been fined 5,000 GEL for allegedly “blocking the road” near the Parliament building.
- On February 14, 2025, Tabula journalist Beka Jikurashvili was also accused of blocking the road while performing his professional duties. According to Tabula, Jikurashvili was wearing a press badge and was carrying out his work responsibilities.
- On February 2, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Mtavari Arkhi TV journalist and host Natia Gogsadze. She is accused of blocking the road during a pro-European protest. According to information released by Mtavari Arkhi, Natia Gogsadze was informed about the fine over the phone. During the call, the exact amount of the fine was not specified.
- On February 4, 2025, law enforcement authorities contacted Tabula journalist Nikoloz Chiraqadze and informed him that he had “violated traffic regulations” while on the capital’s central avenue on January 17, and would therefore have to undergo legal procedures. According to Tabula, the journalist was on Rustaveli Avenue performing his professional duties at the time.
- April media photojournalist Vakho Kareli is being accused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of “illegally blocking the road.” According to a Ministry representative, “it is an established fact” that Vakho Karel was present at Rustaveli Avenue on January 26. When the photojournalist responded that it was likely he was there because he is a journalist, the Ministry representative replied: “That’s something you need to prove — you must present the appropriate documentation, based on which the court will make a decision.”
- Radio Liberty journalist Eka Kevanishvili is being accused by police of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue on January 22. On that day, Kevanishvili was filming a video with a cameraman. “She has already submitted documentation to the police confirming that she is indeed a Radio Liberty journalist and was carrying out an assignment from the editorial team that day. However, she has not yet received any notification on whether the legal proceedings against her have been terminated,” the Radio Liberty article states.
- On January 4, 2025, Mtavari Arkhi journalist Aleksandre Sajaia was also accused of blocking the road while performing his professional duties.
- Davit Kekenadze, a journalist for the international media corporation Euronews, was fined 5,000 GEL by Tbilisi City Court. Police accused him of blocking the road during a pro-European protest held on January 3.
- Germane Salia, director of Poti-based Ninth Wave TV and co-chair of the Regional Broadcasters’ Alliance, was fined 1,000 GEL for driving during a protest march in Zugdidi. According to Salia, he was attending the march as a journalist to prepare coverage. Three days later, while driving from Poti to Zugdidi, he was stopped by patrol police and informed that his car had been listed as wanted in connection with the protest on December 13, 2024. Although he explained to police that he was performing his professional duties, the fine was still imposed.
- On November 10, 2024, Radio Liberty journalist Salome Chaduneli was accused by police of “blocking the road” during a protest organized by the group Daitove.
Georgian Dream increased the amount of fines in the context of the pro-European protests that began after November 28. According to amendments made to Georgia’s Code of Administrative Offenses, the fine for illegally blocking a roadway has been increased tenfold — from 500 GEL to 5,000 GEL.
On June 11, 2025, Tbilisi City Court Judge Mikheil Jinjolia unexpectedly announced the closure of the court session during the trial of Giorgi Akhobadze, who was arrested at a protest. Journalists were once again forced to leave the courtroom without any explanation, including those who had been granted permission to film the proceedings.
Natia Amiranashvili, a journalist from the online outlet Publika, wrote on social media that no order had been disrupted during the hearing: “I have a strong suspicion that the court’s main concern is to silence and neutralize the media — and these steps are being taken to prepare the ground for that.”
In recent months, Georgia’s court system has increasingly restricted the media’s ability to cover legal proceedings. Between May 22 and June 11, 2025, there were four recorded incidents at Tbilisi City Court (on May 22, 23, 29, and 30) in which reporters equipped with photo and video cameras were denied access. On June 10, a court session was completely closed to the media — including to journalists who had previously received permission to record. All these incidents occurred during hearings of high public interest, widely considered to be political cases.
The Media Advocacy Coalition has warned that these actions set a dangerous precedent and reflect a deliberate strategy by the ruling Georgian Dream party to restrict media access.
“Barring media from court proceedings not only violates the rights of journalists but also infringes on the public’s right to be informed. Through such actions, Georgian Dream is attempting to withhold information on critical court decisions from the public and limit citizens’ ability to demand accountability,” the coalition’s statement reads.
On June 11, 2025, Tbilisi City Court Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili, who is presiding over the case of eight individuals arrested during a protest, threatened Mindia Gabadze, a journalist from the online outlet Publika, saying he would not be allowed to take photos at the next hearing. According to the journalist, the judge addressed him directly: “She called out to me just after announcing the end of the hearing, while I was quietly continuing to take photos,” Gabadze wrote on social media.
Mindia Gabadze is one of the journalists who regularly attends court hearings related to so-called “prisoners of conscience” and reports on the developments. His social media accounts feature numerous emotional photos and videos from courtrooms, including visual documentation of statements made by the prisoners.
Recently, the court system has increasingly restricted media coverage of judicial proceedings. Between May 22 and June 11, 2025, there were four recorded incidents (on May 22, 23, 29, and 30) in Tbilisi City Court where reporters equipped with photo and video cameras were denied entry. On June 10, one hearing was entirely closed to the media, including those previously granted permission to record. All of these instances occurred during hearings deemed to be of high public interest and considered to involve political cases.
The Media Advocacy Coalition stated that these actions set a dangerous precedent and reflect the ruling party Georgian Dream’s deliberate policy of restricting the press.
“Banning media access to court proceedings not only violates the rights of journalists but also infringes upon the public’s right to be informed. With such actions, Georgian Dream is trying to withhold crucial information about important court decisions from the public and limit citizens’ ability to hold the government accountable,” the coalition’s statement reads.
On June 9, Batumi City Court will hear yet another administrative offense case against journalist Mzia Amaglobeli. According to information shared on May 7 by Amaglobeli’s legal representative, Nona Kurdovanidze, head of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed an additional charge against the journalist. This time, she is accused of “damaging the appearance of a building” — for posting a protest sign during a demonstration on January 11, a sign that was immediately removed after it was put up.
It’s worth noting that Amaglobeli was initially detained on the spot for this act under administrative procedure. However, it later became clear that simply posting the sign did not legally justify her detention, and she was released about an hour later. The Ministry of Internal Affairs subsequently amended the offense record to claim she had disobeyed a police order, in an effort to justify the arrest.
In that case, two levels of court found Amaglobeli guilty and imposed a fine of 2,000 GEL.
Now, despite a legal ruling already having been made on what is essentially the same action, Batumi City Court is reviewing the incident under a new legal classification. The case is being heard by Judge Mariam Fomaeva, who was appointed in December 2024 on a probationary basis.
On June 10, 2025, Judge Nino Galustashvili closed the hearing of 11 individuals detained during pro-European protests and expelled media representatives from the courtroom without any explanation. Notably, even those journalists who had official permission to film were asked to leave.
Previously, during earlier stages of the same case, some hearings at the Tbilisi City Court had been partially closed — barring supporters, family members, and friends of the defendants from attending — but media outlets with filming accreditation were still allowed to cover the proceedings.
According to the online outlet Publika, the judge’s decision followed a comment made from the courtroom, noting that participants had not been allowed to eat during the hearing. Despite journalists requesting clarification, the judge only announced the decision, providing no further explanation.
In recent months, the courts have increasingly imposed unjustified barriers on the media, hindering journalists from fulfilling their professional duties.
On March 4, 2025, Batumi City Court Judge Vasil Metreveli ruled to keep Netgazeti and Batumelebi co-founder and director Mzia Amaglobe in pre-trial detention. On that day, the court also began the substantive hearing of her case and reviewed the issue of revising the preventive measure.
Mzia Amaglobeli is being investigated under Article 353¹, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to attacks on police officers, special penitentiary staff, or other public officials or institutions. The charge carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison.
Amaglobeli was arrested twice during the night of January 11–12. She was initially detained for posting a sticker on a police building that read: “Georgia Goes on Strike.” She was released a few hours later on a written pledge. However, shortly after her release, she was re-arrested for allegedly slapping the police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze.
According to Netgazeti, the incident was preceded by a clash and crowding between demonstrators and police, triggered by provocative actions from the police.The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), which is representing Amaglobeli, stated that “Mzia Amaglobeli is not only being held unlawfully, but the Georgian judiciary has demonstratively stripped her of the right to defend herself and prove her innocence.”
At a court hearing held on March 12, 2025, Radio Liberty producer Beka Beradze was issued a verbal warning by the court for disobeying police orders.
Beradze was detained on the night of December 1, 2024, during a pro-European protest in Tbilisi, on Ingorokva Street, along with several companions. He was taken to a temporary detention facility in Sagarejo and released 48 hours later without being charged. Visible injuries were observed on Beradze’s face, which, according to Radio Liberty reports, resulted from violence by riot police.
On March 12, 2025, police contacted Beradze to inform him that his court hearing was scheduled to take place within the hour. He was being charged with disobeying a police order. According to Beradze, he and his lawyer were given only one hour to review the case materials.
