On 16 March, according to information disseminated on social media, activist Giorgi Mumladze was found liable for an administrative offence in connection with the obstruction of a roadway and was placed in administrative detention for a period of four days.
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, 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 the night of 9 March, Davit Chkheidze, an active participant in ongoing protests, was stopped by police and taken to the Tabukashvili Police Department for drug testing. According to Chkheidze, he was returning from a protest by car with his family when several patrol units stopped him. He was initially subjected to a breathalyzer (alcohol) test, which returned a negative result. Police subsequently conducted an on-site drug test and indicated a positive result, following which Chkheidze was transferred to the police station for further examination. Subsequent laboratory testing did not confirm the presence of narcotic substances, and Chkheidze was released. However, biological samples taken from him were forwarded for additional forensic analysis. Several days later, it was confirmed through expert examination that no traces of narcotic substances were detected in Chkheidze’s system.
Davit Chkheidze is a diplomat with extensive professional experience. In February 2025, he left public service and has since been participating in pro-European protests. He previously held positions in various state institutions and possessed a diplomatic passport.According to Chkheidze, another protest participant, Paata Alaverdashvili, was in the vehicle with him at the time. He stated that law enforcement officers removed Alaverdashvili from the vehicle and detained him on the spot on charges of verbally insulting a police officer. Paata Alaverdashvili was placed in administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleges that he verbally insulted a police officer. He was detained under Article 173(2) of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concerns the verbal insult of a law enforcement officer and provides for a fine ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 GEL or administrative detention for up to 60 days. According to Alaverdashvili’s lawyer, Teo Zakaraishvili, he was verbally abused at the police station following his detention. She stated that no physical violence was observed and that the detainee is in good condition.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
