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.
Judge Davit Makaradze of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist Nuki Maisuradze liable for an administrative offence related to the alleged blocking of a roadway during the “Saturday March” and issued a verbal warning. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that on 7 February Maisuradze 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.
Zurab Tsetskhladze, the father of prisoner of conscience Zviad Tsetskhladze, states that in the case concerning standing on a sidewalk during a protest, Judge Nino Enukidze terminated the administrative proceedings and referred the case to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA), indicating that the matter may contain elements of a criminal offence.
The continuation of the case under criminal law is linked to legislative amendments introduced by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, to the Code of Administrative Offences. Under these amendments, the repeated obstruction of pedestrian or vehicular movement during an assembly or demonstration may give rise to criminal liability.
According to Tsetskhladze, the police drew up the administrative offence report on 9 February 2026. The report was issued under Article 174¹(10) of the Code of Administrative Offences. This provision covers several types of administrative offences, including covering one’s face with a mask or other means; creating obstacles to the movement of pedestrians or vehicles; and artificially blocking the roadway used by vehicles or pedestrians. Under Article 347 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, the repeated commission of any of the acts defined in the aforementioned provisions by a person who has already been sanctioned under those articles is punishable by imprisonment for up to one year.
Judge Tornike Kochkian of the Tbilisi City Court found two civil activists, Mariam Chkhaidze and Lali Kekua, liable for administrative offences related to the alleged blocking of a roadway. Their cases were examined jointly. Mariam Chkhaidze was subjected to two days of administrative detention, while Lali Kekua was subjected to three days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) alleged that both activists had blocked a roadway on Rustaveli Avenue 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.
Judge Tornike Kochkian of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist Sopho Markozia liable for an administrative offence related to the blocking of a roadway and subjected her to three days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) alleged that on 7 February 2026, during the “Saturday March,” Markozia blocked a roadway on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.
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.
