Judge Tornike Kapanadze of Tbilisi City Court imposed three days of administrative detention on Aleksi (Buka) Petriashvili, former State Minister for European Integration, for standing on the sidewalk. The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that, on 17 December, Petriashvili had created an obstruction to pedestrian movement on the sidewalk in front of Parliament.
Before the decision was announced, Petriashvili told the court that the video did not show any indication that anyone’s movement on the sidewalk had been obstructed. According to him, there was sufficient space around him and people were moving freely. Petriashvili also stated that, on 17 December, there had been no instruction from the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the location, and argued that the law in question contradicts the Constitution of Georgia and international standards.On the same day, Judge Kapanadze also heard the case of another protest participant, Sandro Sekhniashvili, and issued him a verbal warning. The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that Sekhniashvili had blocked the roadway in front of Parliament on 7 February.
The Tbilisi City Court found several activists liable for administrative offences on charges of blocking the road. The decisions were issued by Judge Koba Chagunava.
Protest participant Rezi Dumbadze was sentenced to 4 days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs charged him with artificially blocking a roadway on January 31.
The same judge imposed 3 days of administrative detention on Zviad Mariamidze. Ana Meburishvili and Natia Tsitsilashvili were issued verbal warnings by the 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 April 3, Judge Tornike Kapanadze of the Tbilisi City Court found three civil activists liable for administrative offences in connection with a protest held on a sidewalk. One of them, Abkhaz war participant Zosime Bzhalava, was sentenced to 2 days of administrative detention, while the other two – Naniko Bedineishvili and Vika Dzandzava – received a verbal warning.
According to Bzhalava’s lawyer, Malkhaz Pataraia, Zosime Bzhalava is an internally displaced person from Abkhazia. In his assessment, the court’s decision is unlawful and incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and the Constitution.
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.”
At the Tbilisi City Court, three hearings were held in cases related to the alleged obstruction of a roadway and pavement during protest actions near Parliament. In these cases, the court applied different sanctions – one individual was subjected to administrative detention, while two were issued verbal warnings.
Mariam Madzgharashvili was subjected to 2 days of administrative detention by Judge Nino Enukidze. Nika Beridze and Mikheil Nakheuri were issued verbal warnings by Judge Tornike Kapanadze.
Levan Khmiadashvili, an energy specialist and civil activist, was found liable for an administrative offence on the grounds of allegedly blocking a roadway during protest marches; however, Judge Manuchar Tsatsua limited the sanction to a verbal warning. Khmiadashvili was accused of blocking a roadway during protest marches held on 31 January and 7 February. According to his lawyer, despite the court limiting the sanction to a verbal warning, the finding of liability itself remains unsubstantiated.
Khmiadashvili stated that he had expected administrative detention, noting that such a sanction is typically imposed in similar cases. He further stated that protest marches and brief gatherings in front of Parliament should not result in repeated court proceedings or be used as a mechanism of pressure against citizens.
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.
Activist Megi Diasamidze has been notified to appear before the court in connection with her participation in a protest held on a sidewalk. The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleges that she obstructed pedestrian movement by standing on the sidewalk. According to Diasamidze, as stated on social media, she was contacted by the Tbilisi City Court and informed that the hearing has been scheduled for 31 March.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia accused Megi Diasamidze of obstructing pedestrian movement on the sidewalk in front of Parliament on 18 December at approximately 21:58. On 31 March, a judge of the Tbilisi City Court, Davit Makaridze, subjected Diasamidze to 2 days of administrative detention. A video has been circulated on social media showing Diasamidze calling the emergency number 112 Emergency Service Georgia herself, stating: “I was sentenced to two days for standing on the sidewalk. I want to call the police to come and take me, as is usually done…”Megi Diasamidze, a 23-year-old activist, was previously detained on 10 September 2025 near Lanchkhuti while travelling from Tbilisi to Batumi. The investigation alleged that she inscribed the phrase “Russian Dream” on an election campaign banner belonging to Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze’s campaign headquarters. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the value of the damaged banners amounted to GEL 380. It is noted that the inscription was removed by the municipal cleaning service within approximately three minutes. The Tbilisi City Court released Diasamidze on bail in the amount of GEL 2,000. Her lawyer indicated that her rights were violated at the time of detention, stating that she had not been informed of the reasons for her arrest and had not been allowed to contact a lawyer or her family for a certain period of time. If convicted, Diasamidze faces up to five years of imprisonment under charges related to damage to property.
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.
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 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.”
