Judge Manuchar Tsatsua of the Tbilisi City Court found the Dean of the Business School at Caucasus University, Elene Jgharkava, liable for an administrative offence for standing on the sidewalk during a protest and issued her a verbal warning. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) alleged that on 17 December 2025 Jgharkava created an obstruction for pedestrians on the sidewalk near the Parliament of Georgia.
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,” a total of 18 activists have already been found liable for administrative offences. Of these, nine were sentenced to administrative detention, while nine (predominantly women) received verbal warnings.
Participants in pro-European protests, Data Kashiashvili and Sopho Markozia, report that they have been notified to appear before the court on the grounds of allegedly blocking a roadway. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) alleges that both individuals committed the alleged administrative offence on 7 February 2026 during the “Saturday March.”
“Today I received a call from the court informing me that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed a complaint against me, alleging that on 7 February I was blocking the road. It was the Saturday March – the road was full and the sidewalk was also full. Accordingly, it was simply physically impossible for all participants in the demonstration to leave the roadway immediately. If the MIA presents the full video evidence, it will clearly show that once space became available on the sidewalk, I moved off the road. Moreover, I was urging others to do the same. The hearing has been scheduled for 18 March. We will see what decision the court makes,” Data Kashiashvili told Netgazeti.
“Earlier, the secretary of Judge Kochkian called me and informed me that a court hearing has been scheduled regarding the blocking of the road on 7 February. It is unusual — for the first time I know in advance that I will have a court hearing and will enter through the front door,” Markozia wrote on social media. Court hearings for both individuals are scheduled for 18 March.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 Makaridze of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist Anastasia Dolidze liable for an administrative offence in connection with a protest held on the sidewalk and issued her a verbal warning. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) alleged that Anastasia Dolidze created an obstruction for pedestrians on the sidewalk near the Parliament of Georgia on 18 December..
Anastasia Dolidze is the sixteenth activist brought before the court on the same grounds for protesting on the sidewalk. Of these 16 individuals, eight were subjected to administrative detention – four of them for four days and others for five days – while eight individuals (predominantly women) received verbal warnings.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.”
Two members of the student movement at Ilia State University in Tbilisi, Anni Fridonashvili and Taso Dolidze, have been called to court in connection with a protest conducted on a sidewalk. The individuals are accused of obstructing a sidewalk on 17 and 18 December 2025.
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.”
To date, judicial decisions have been issued in fourteen cases related to sidewalk protests. Of those, seven individuals were subjected to administrative detention ranging from four to five days, while seven others – predominantly women – received verbal warnings.
Shalva Javakhia, a history teacher, political activist, and member of the political party “Federalists,” was found liable for an administrative offence in connection with a protest conducted on a sidewalk. The court imposed a verbal warning. The decision was issued by Judge Manuchar Tsatsua.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that on 18 December 2025, Shalva Javakhia obstructed the movement of the public while standing on the sidewalk outside the Parliament building.
Shalva Javakhia is the tenth individual to have been found liable in proceedings related to sidewalk protests. Of the ten cases to date, five individuals were sentenced to administrative detention for periods of four and five days, while in five cases the courts imposed verbal warnings.
On 12 December 2025, the “Georgian Dream” party adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the right to freedom of assembly. 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.”
Judge Manuchar Tsatsua of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist and protest participant Natashi Lazishvili liable for an administrative offence for standing on a sidewalk and imposed a verbal warning as a sanction. The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that on 18 December 2025, while standing on the sidewalk near the Parliament building, she deliberately obstructed the movement of citizens.
Natashi Lazishvili is the ninth individual to have been found liable for standing on a sidewalk in connection with protest activities. Of the nine cases to date, five individuals were sentenced to administrative detention, while four individuals including three women and Rezi Dumbadze, the first person found liable for standing on a sidewalk were issued verbal warnings.
On 12 December 2025, the “Georgian Dream” party adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the right to freedom of assembly. 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 23 January 2026, judges of the Tbilisi City Court found seven citizens liable for administrative offences in connection with standing on a sidewalk. Of these, five individuals (men) were sentenced to administrative detention, while two individuals (women) were issued verbal warnings, as follows:
- Sandro Megrelishvili – four days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
- Dimitri Jamburia – four days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
- Luka Nagliashvili – five days of administrative detention (Judge Davit Makaradze);
- Mikheil Zakareishvili – five days of administrative detention (Judge Zviad Tsekvava);
- Nukri Kakulia – four days of administrative detention (Judge Manuchar Tsatsua);
- Ani Akhmeteli – verbal warning (Judge Zviad Tsekvava);
- Natia Chavchanidze – verbal warning (Judge Manuchar Tsatsua).
The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that, by standing on the sidewalk, the individuals obstructed the movement of other citizens. This marked the first instance in which courts imposed administrative detention in proceedings related to the so-called “sidewalk cases.”
Another repressive legislative amendment restricting the exercise of the right to freedom of assembly was adopted by the “Georgian Dream” party 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 effectively prohibited. Under the amended legal framework, a first violation is punishable by administrative detention for a term of up to 15 days (up to 20 days in the case of an organizer), while a repeated violation may give rise to criminal liability.
The first activist to be subjected to court proceedings following the adoption of the stricter legislation was Ani Akhmeteli, who was served with notice on 23 December. The first judicial decision in sidewalk-related cases was delivered on 22 January, when Judge Tornike Kapanadze found civil activist Rezi Dumbadze liable for an administrative offence and issued a verbal warning. In 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 legal scrutiny when assessed against the standards of freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and by international human rights instruments.”
On 22 January 2026, a precedent was established at the Tbilisi City Court, where the first ruling was delivered in the so-called “sidewalk case.” Judge Tornike Kapanadze found Rezi Dumbadze, a participant in pro-European demonstrations, liable for an administrative offence for standing on a sidewalk adjacent to the Parliament building and thereby “obstructing the movement of the public,” and issued a verbal warning as a sanction.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs alleged that Rezi Dumbadze committed the administrative offence on 17 December 2025. On 14 January, the protest participant was notified by the Tbilisi City Court that he was required to appear in connection with the alleged “blocking” of the sidewalk.
On 12 December 2025, the “Georgian Dream” party adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the right to freedom of assembly. 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.”
Rezi Dumbadze is the first civil activist to have been found liable under the so-called “sidewalk” cases.
According to civil activist Nata Peradze, administrative offence proceedings have been initiated against her in connection with a post she published on social media concerning Nino Tsilosani, Vice Speaker of the Parliament representing the “Georgian Dream” party. The proceedings were initiated under Article 173¹⁶ of the Code of Administrative Offences. Nata Peradze is accused of insulting Nino Tsilosani in her capacity as a holder of a state-political office.
Article 173¹⁶ provides for a sanction in the form of a fine ranging from 1,500 to 4,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period of up to 45 days. According to the media outlet Batumelebi, the administrative offence report drawn up by a detective includes, as evidentiary material, a screenshot of Nata Peradze’s Facebook post in which she wrote: “Nino Tsilosani’s breed.”
It should be recalled that one day earlier it became known that Ruska Mchedlidze, a participant in civil protest activities, was also subjected to legal action over a post published on social media, following a complaint filed by Nino Jgharkava, a person closely associated with the “Georgian Dream” party. Earlier, in early January, activist Tako Gvilia likewise faced legal action after a complaint was filed by an officer of the Zugdidi Patrol Police in relation to a post published on a social network.The practice of initiating court proceedings against citizens on the basis of posts published on social media commenced after the “Georgian Dream” party adopted, in June 2025 and under an expedited legislative procedure, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression.
The amendments primarily concerned the regulation of defamation. In particular, the statutory definition of defamation was revised by removing the element of harm, which had previously constituted an essential prerequisite for qualifying a statement as defamatory. Shortly after the amendments entered into force, six journalists were subjected to administrative fines for opinions expressed on social media. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association assessed these amendments as constituting an “unjustified restriction on freedom of expression, creating a chilling effect and aimed at instilling fear within society in order to deter individuals from critically evaluating the actions of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and its political representatives.”
A patrol police officer of the Zugdidi Police Department, Nikoloz Thordia, has filed an administrative complaint against civic activist Tako Gvilia in connection with a post published on a social media platform. The officer alleges that the activist committed verbal insult in a public statement.
As Tako Gvilia wrote on social media, she was served with an administrative offense report several minutes earlier, which states that she published a public post on social media in which she allegedly verbally insulted police officer Nikoloz Thordia.
Tako Gvilia is not the first activist against whom Nikoloz Thordia has filed a complaint. In December 2025, the patrol police officer also filed an administrative complaint against Mariam Sichinava, a member of the political party Droa, alleging the use of the Megrelian word “lodos” (“fool”) in a social media post. Mariam Sichinava was subsequently subjected to an administrative fine of GEL 3,000.
