On 16 March, Giorgi Gotsiridze, a lawyer of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) and a human rights defender, was found liable for an administrative offence by Judge Davit Makaradze for standing on a sidewalk in the course of a protest. The court issued a verbal warning.
According to GYLA, the imposition of legal liability for engaging in peaceful protest expressed through standing on a sidewalk reflects a reality that is entirely detached from human rights law. The organization assesses that the adoption of such regulation, as well as its enforcement by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, is inconsistent with both national and international legal standards and constitutes an instrument of law-making and law enforcement grounded in repression and control.
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.”
Shorena Shavlakadze, the mother of a person with disabilities and an active participant in protest demonstrations advocating for her and her child’s rights, was charged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with the artificial obstruction of a roadway on Rustaveli Avenue. On 16 March, the Tbilisi City Court found Shorena Shavlaqadze, a mother of a person with disabilities and a rights defender, liable for an administrative offence and issued her a verbal warning. The decision was rendered by Judge Nino Enukidze of the Tbilisi City Court.
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 9 March, the Tbilisi Court of Appeals upheld the five-year term of imprisonment imposed on Giorgi Mindadze. The decision was issued by Judge Tea Leonidze.
According to the investigation, Mindadze was charged with discharging pyrotechnic devices in the direction of an officer of the Special Tasks Department during a pro-European protest held on 29 November, allegedly resulting in a burn injury to the officer’s leg. The case was brought under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns an attack on a law enforcement officer.
Mindadze was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on 3 July 2025 by Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court.According to the defence, one of the key pieces of evidence in the case is a seven-second video recording obtained from social media, which shows an individual discharging fireworks; however, the footage is not continuous and does not allow for reliable identification of the person. The defence also points to inconsistencies in the testimony of the alleged victim, who stated that the injury was sustained on 29 November but sought emergency medical assistance only on 1 December, raising questions, in the defence’s view, as to whether the injury is in fact related to the events of 29 November.
On 9 March, Judge Tornike Kapanadze of the Tbilisi City Court found Saba Gelashvili liable for an administrative offence related to standing on a sidewalk and subjected him to four days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that on 18 December he obstructed pedestrian movement on the sidewalk.
Saba Gelashvili is a former champion of the television program “Book Shelf” (წიგნების თარო). The program responded to the decision with a public statement criticizing Gelashvili’s detention. The statement described the detention of individuals for standing on a sidewalk as “a continuation of a farce” and expressed solidarity with Gelashvili and other detained young people.
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.” The administrative provisions related to the so-called “sidewalk cases” are currently being challenged before the Constitutional Court of Georgia. The constitutional complaint seeks a declaration of unconstitutionality of the relevant regulations, which provide for the imposition of fines or administrative detention on individuals for standing on a sidewalk or roadway.
On 9 March, Judge Zviad Tsekvava imposed administrative fines in the amount of 5,000 GEL each on active protest participants Magda Mamukashvili and Mako Kapianidze. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that, during a protest held on 31 January, they had artificially blocked a roadway. In its decision, the court refrained from imposing administrative detention. The court noted that both individuals are mothers of children under the age of 12, a circumstance precluding the application of administrative detention under the applicable legal framework.
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 9 March, the Tbilisi City Court subjected Zviad Mzhavanadze, an employee of the Media Development Foundation, to four days of administrative detention in connection with an administrative offence case initiated for a protest on the sidewalk. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that Mzhavanadze created an obstruction to pedestrian movement on the sidewalk. The case was examined by Judge Tornike Kapanadze. According to Mzhavanadze, he did not breach public order and his actions did not hinder movement. He stated that during the court hearing it was not substantiated how his conduct interfered with others.
According to Mzhavanadze’s lawyer, Mariam Jikia, the defence intends to appeal the decision. The lawyer further noted concerns regarding both the process of identifying the individual through the use of video surveillance and the administrative offence provision applied in the case, the constitutionality of which is currently being challenged before the Constitutional Court of Georgia.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.”
On 4 March, two additional participants in pro-European protests were sentenced to administrative detention on charges of “blocking the roadway.” Sanctioned judge Manuchar Tsatsua sentenced Deme Sharikadze to four days of administrative detention, while Davith Basaria was sentenced to five days of administrative detention by sanctioned judge Nino Enukidze. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused both individuals of obstructing a roadway during the traditional Saturday march on 31 January.
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.
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.”
