Dismissal from Public Service

Incidents Recorded Against Civil Activists – September 2025

Context

The incidents documented in September 2025 indicate a further intensification of repressive practices against civil activists and individuals associated with the protest movement. During the reporting period, the use of imprisonment and criminal prosecution against participants in pro-European protests was particularly notable, including the imposition of multi-year prison sentences on individuals accused of participating in group actions, drug-related offences, and other criminal offences. In numerous cases, the accused stated that the criminal proceedings were linked to their participation in the protests.

The documented cases also included administrative arrests, the imposition of financial sanctions, incidents of physical violence and intimidation, including group attacks against activists and threatening incidents. Certain episodes also revealed restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and expression, where law enforcement officers prevented demonstrators from exercising their right to protest or used force against them.

At the same time, investigative actions against non-governmental organisations and their representatives continued within the framework of the so-called “Masks Case”, targeting activities related to supporting civil society.

Incidents

On 2 September 2025, Judge Jvebe Nachkebia of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Anton Chechin, who had been detained during the pro-European protests on drug-related charges, to 8 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. Chechin had been charged with the possession of a particularly large quantity of narcotic substances. He denies the charges and claims that the narcotics were planted on him because of his participation in the protests. He was arrested on 3 December. According to Chechin, his arrest had been preceded by an incident on 18 November, when he was taken from a protest to a police station and threatened with consequences if he continued participating in demonstrations.

On 2 September 2025, during a protest held on Rustaveli Avenue outside the Parliament building, where demonstrators were protesting statements made by Tea Tsulukiani within the framework of the Georgian Dream parliamentary investigative commission, the Ministry of Internal Affairs administratively detained 23 individuals. Protesters attempted to block the roadway, but law enforcement officers prevented them from doing so and forcibly detained several individuals on the pavement. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, those detained had failed to comply with lawful police orders.

On 3 September 2025, Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili of the Tbilisi City Court reclassified the charges against all eight defendants detained in connection with the pro-European protests and found them guilty under Article 226 of the Criminal Code, which concerns the organisation of or participation in group actions.

Three of them—Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vefkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadzelashvili—were sentenced to 2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment. The prosecution had originally charged all three under Article 225(1) of the Criminal Code with organising group violence.

The remaining five defendants—Irakli Miminoshvili, Giorgi Gorgadze, Tornike Goshadze, Insaf Aliyev, and Nikoloz Javakhishvili—were each sentenced to 2 years’ imprisonment. They had originally been charged under Article 225(2)of the Criminal Code with participation in organised group violence.

On 3 September 2025, Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced all eleven defendants detained in connection with the pro-European protests—Revaz Kiknadze, Valeri Tetriashvili, Giorgi Terishvili, Andro Chichinadze, Onise Tskhadadze, Ruslan Sivakov, Irakli Kerashvili, Luka Jabuia, Jano Archaia, Sergei Kukharchuk, and Guri Mirtskhulava—to 2 years’ imprisonment each.

The prosecution had charged all eleven under Article 225(2) of the Criminal Code with participation in organised group violence. As in the case of the previous eight defendants, Judge Galustashvili reclassified the charges and found them guilty under Article 226 of the Criminal Code, concerning the organisation of or participation in group actions.

On 3 September 2025, Judge Jvebe Nachkebia of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Saba Skhvitaridze, who had been detained during the pro-European protests, to 2 years’ imprisonment. Initially, the prosecution accused him of assaulting police officer Mirian Kavtaradze. However, on 24 July, the Prosecutor’s Office reclassified the charge to intentional minor bodily injury under Article 120(1) of the Criminal Code.

On 3 September 2025, activist Mariam Meqantsishvili was assaulted by Beka Gotsiridze, a supporter of Georgian Dream. According to Meqantsishvili, while she was on Melikishvili Avenue, where a protest march coincided with the opening of Kakha Kaladze’s election headquarters, Gotsiridze threw a cigarette butt at her and struck her.

On 4 September 2025, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced activist Albi Kordzaia to 12 days of administrative detention. The case concerned his detention during the 2 September protest outside Parliament, where demonstrators protested statements made by Tea Tsulukiani before the Georgian Dream parliamentary commission.

On 4 September 2025, the Tbilisi City Court examined the administrative cases of individuals detained during the 2 September protest on Rustaveli Avenue. Activists Luka Devdariani, Nika Kordzadze, and Davit Gunashvili were each fined GEL 5,000. (The source text incorrectly states “2024”; this appears to be a typographical error, as the case concerns the events of 2 September 2025.)

On 8 September 2025, supporters of Georgian Dream physically attacked demonstrators gathered outside Kakha Kaladze’s election headquarters. Video footage published by media outlets shows activists being assaulted. The confrontations continued intermittently for several hours. According to participants, despite being present at the scene, the police failed to effectively prevent the attacks, even though, according to activists, some of the perpetrators could have been identified. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that an investigation had been launched into group violence.

On 10 September 2025, Megi Diasamidze was arrested on charges of damaging one of Kakha Kaladze’s election banners. The 23-year-old activist was detained under Article 187 of the Criminal Code, which criminalises the destruction or damage of another person’s property. The offence is punishable by a fine, community service, house arrest for a period of six months to two years, or imprisonment for one to five years. On 12 September, Judge Davit Kurtanidze imposed bail of GEL 2,000 as a preventive measure, and Diasamidze was released from the courtroom.

On 12 September 2025, Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court sentenced Anastasia Zinovkina and Artem Gribul, who had been detained during the pro-European protests on drug-related charges, to 8 years and 6 months’ imprisonment each. Zinovkina and Gribul were arrested on 17 December and charged with possession of a particularly large quantity of narcotic substances. Both deny the charges and state that the narcotics were planted on them during personal and residential searches because of their participation in the protests. Both had previously participated in demonstrations against Vladimir Putin in Russia.

On 12 September 2025, public servant Tako Kavkasidze stated that she had been dismissed on political grounds. According to Kavkasidze, she had publicly distanced herself from Georgian Dream’s decision to suspend the country’s European integration process by signing a public petition. She further stated that another signatory of the same pro-European petition had also been dismissed from public service.

On 15 September 2025, participants in a protest march travelling from the building of the Public Broadcaster to the intersection of Rustaveli Avenue and Besiki Street were verbally and physically confronted by several individuals. According to activists, one of the attackers was allegedly carrying a firearm and a knife. The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that, following the incident, an individual born in 2009 was arrested on charges of the illegal acquisition, possession, and carrying of firearms and ammunition.

On 23 September 2025, according to Mariam Nikuradze, Director and photojournalist of OC MEDIA, demonstrators participating in the so-called “zebra crossing protests” near the Atoneli Residence in Tbilisi were deliberately struck by a vehicle.

Nikuradze stated that activist Mariam Meqantsishvili lost consciousness twice and was transported by ambulance. A second injured person, Lizi Ubilava, was also taken to hospital. According to the police, the incident had been referred to the competent authority, although it remained unclear whether a criminal investigation had been formally initiated.

On 29 September 2025, activist Gela Khasaia, a member of Girchi – More Freedom, was arrested. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he was detained on charges of intentional minor bodily injury, and the investigation was being conducted under Article 120 of the Criminal Code. According to his lawyer, the case concerns a conflict that occurred on 1 September at Station Square involving individuals unknown to Khasaia. The lawyer further stated that while Khasaia was held at the police station, he was subjected to verbal abuse and psychological pressure. According to counsel, one police officer reminded him of an earlier incident in which the officer had threatened that Khasaia would eventually be arrested under criminal law.

The so-called “Masks Case”

Within the framework of the so-called “Masks Case”, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia summoned several representatives of civil society for questioning before a magistrate judge. On 4 September, Giorgi Mshvenieradze, Chair of the organisation Guardians of Democracy, was questioned before the Tbilisi City Court. According to him, the Prosecutor’s questions concerned his individual Facebook posts, the organisation’s financial documentation, and the organisation of the 2024 protest demonstrations.

On 8 September, Levan Natroshvili, Executive Director of the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED), was questioned in connection with the same case.

On 17 September, Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, and Lela Tsiskarishvili, Chair of the Tbilisi Human Rights House and Director of the Georgian Centre for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT), were questioned before a magistrate judge. According to their statements, the questioning focused on activities related to the protest movement, including support provided to protesters, payment of administrative fines, legal assistance, and the procurement of various types of equipment and supplies.

The so-called “Masks Case” stems from a criminal investigation launched by the Prosecutor’s Office on 8 February 2025, conducted under Articles 318(1), 19 in conjunction with Article 318(2), Article 319, and Article 321¹(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia.

Within the framework of the investigation, on 7 August, the Prosecutor’s Office froze the bank accounts of seven non-governmental organisations: the Civil Society Foundation, ISFED, IDFI, GDI, Guardians of Democracy, Sapari, and the Social Justice Center. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, the organisations’ designated funds had been used to purchase equipment such as gas masks, protective goggles, face masks, face coverings, pepper spray, and other items allegedly used by protesters during violent confrontations with the police. The Prosecutor’s Office also treated the provision of legal assistance to detained and fined protesters as part of the alleged criminal conduct.

Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – September 2024

Context

The incidents documented in September 2024 indicate the use of various forms of pressure against individuals engaged in civic activism and the expression of critical opinions. During the reporting period, incidents involving administrative detention, financial sanctions, and indirect pressure were documented, affecting activists, representatives of civil society, and individuals employed in the public sector.

September was particularly marked by the use of administrative and economic measures against activists. In addition, cases of alleged politically motivated dismissals from public employment were documented. According to human rights organisations, these dismissals may have been linked to the individuals’ publicly expressed criticism of the so-called “Russian Law.”

During the same period, legal and administrative measures directed against non-governmental organisations and their leadership raised concerns regarding potential restrictions on the activities of civil society. Overall, the incidents documented in September demonstrate that the practice of exerting pressure on critical and protest-related activities continued in various forms and targeted both individual activists and civil society organisations.

Incidents

On 4 September 2024, according to information reported by TV Pirveli, several public school principals were allegedly dismissed on political grounds. Those dismissed included Shorena Shamatava, principal of the public school in the village of Nokalakevi; Khatuna Bregvadze, principal of Public School No. 7 in Chiatura; and Mindia Gvelebiani, head of the public school in the village of Namashevi. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) also issued a statement regarding these cases, highlighting possible discriminatory motives and noting that the dismissals may have been linked to the principals’ critical views expressed in relation to the so-called “Russian Law.”

On 9 September 2024, the Tbilisi City Court imposed a fine on activist Lekso Samkharadze, who had called Viktor Japaridze, a Member of Parliament supporting the so-called Russian Law, a “slave.”

On 14 September 2024, police detained businessman and civil activist Soso Babaev in Gori. He was accused of disobeying lawful police orders. Babaev owns a bar in Gori. For three days prior to the incident, preparations had been underway in the area surrounding his bar for the visit of Bidzina Ivanishvili, leader of the Georgian Dream party. Babaev openly protested the disruption caused by these preparations and also announced on social media that he intended to hold a protest. On the morning of 14 September, while on his way to work, he was detained by police. He spent 48 hours in a temporary detention facility.

On 24 September 2024, the bank accounts of Boris Chele Kurua were frozen. The member of the Coalition for Change announced this on social media. According to Kurua, he had previously been fined GEL 500 in connection with protest activities, although the court decision had never been formally served on him. As he did not pay the fine, enforcement measures resulted in the freezing of his bank accounts.

On 24 September 2024, one month before the parliamentary elections, the Head of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Razhden Kuprashvili, designated the organisations Transparency International Georgia and Choose Europe as entities pursuing declared electoral objectives. The Bureau also required the organisations, as well as their leaders, Eka Gigauri and Khatuna Lagazidze, to submit financial declarations within five days, warning that legal measures would be applied in case of non-compliance.

The organisations challenged the decision before the courts, arguing that it was unlawful because the designation subjected them to the Law on Political Associations of Citizens and imposed restrictions on their activities. Amid the resulting controversy, on 2 October, following a public appeal by the Prime Minister, the Anti-Corruption Bureau reversed its decision and, citing the interests of the country, officially revoked the organisations’ status as entities pursuing electoral objectives.

Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – July 2024

Context

In July, a pattern was documented of the use of legal mechanisms, the imposition of judicial sanctions, and summonses to investigative authorities against activists and critically minded citizens. The documented cases indicate that administrative and investigative mechanisms were used against persons who publicly expressed protest or were actively involved in public processes, serving the purpose of suppressing protest in society.

Incidents:

On 1 July 2024, the court fined citizen Mariam Tsitsikashvili GEL 700 after she expressed protest against Viktor Japaridze. Tsitsikashvili had been administratively detained on 9 June under Article 166 of the Code of Administrative Offences — petty hooliganism.

On 23 July 2024, the court fined Davit Katsarava GEL 2,000. Katsarava had been abducted from an anti-Russian protest by special forces officers on 14 May and severely beaten. The judge terminated the proceedings in relation to Article 166, while finding Katsarava administratively liable under Article 173 — failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer. Katsarava was also prohibited from carrying a firearm for a period of two years.

On 23 July 2024, a dismissed employee of Tbilisi Public School No. 51 linked her dismissal to her participation in protests against the so-called “Russian Law.” Manana Ghvinjilia said that after the protests ended, the school administration asked her to write a resignation letter and leave her position. The teacher assessed the incident as political pressure.

On 20–25 July 2024, the State Security Service of Georgia summoned and questioned Georgian veterans fighting in Ukraine and activists as witnesses in court in connection with a confidential investigation under the articles of overthrow of the state and terrorism. According to Georgian Dream leaders and lawyers, the investigation concerns an alleged version of “preparation of an attack” against Georgian Dream honorary chairperson Bidzina Ivanishvili and other high-ranking officials.

In the so-called “coup case,” the SSG summoned Nadim Khmaladze, a fighter in Ukraine and opponent of the “Russian Law,” while on 23 July it summoned Ukraine war veteran Gela Kakhabrishvili. Within the framework of the investigation, Ukraine war veterans Vazha Tsatsadze, Lasha Chighladze, Beso Bendeliani, Konstantine Jghamaia, and Lasha Rukhaia were also among the persons to be questioned by the SSG

Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – January 2025

The incidents documented in January 2025 indicate the use of diverse and intensive forms of pressure against civil activists. These incidents include administrative and criminal prosecution, physical violence, restrictions on freedom of expression, financial sanctions, and alleged politically motivated discrimination in professional activities.

During the reporting period, particularly notable were the mass detentions related to protest demonstrations in Tbilisi and Batumi, as well as judicial decisions concerning activists and the so-called “prisoners of conscience.” At the same time, multiple cases were documented in which individuals linked their dismissal from public employment to their civic position and participation in protests, creating a chilling effect on the exercise of freedom of expression. Cases of physical violence and ill-treatment against activists were also documented, both within Georgia and abroad. Overall, the events of January reflect an environment in which legal, administrative and coercive mechanisms are employed in parallel against civil society.

Incidents

5 January 2025

Several public employees were dismissed from their positions. The Chairperson of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Giorgi Kalandarishvili, dismissed CEC employee Vako Maisuradze on the grounds of institutional reorganization. Maisuradze links his dismissal to his public condemnation of violence committed by the ruling Georgian Dream party.

Pavle Gakharia, an employee of the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Public Safety Management Centre 112, also stated that he was dismissed because of his participation in protest demonstrations. According to Gakharia, his employment contract was terminated without any justification.

8 January 2025

Gela Megrelidze, a German citizen who participated in protests against the so-called “Russian Law”, was denied the right of residence in Georgia and was found administratively liable for an offence committed during a protest.

Megrelidze, who returned to Georgia after 20 years abroad, applied for a residence permit. His application was rejected on the grounds that he allegedly posed a threat to the country. An official document issued to photographer Gela Megrelidze stated that his presence in Georgia was “incompatible with the interests of the State.”

10 January 2025

Judge Ketevan Jachvadze examined the cases of 11 prisoners of conscience—Andro Chichinadze, Jano Archaia, Guram Mirtskhulava, Onise Tskhadadze, Ruslan Sivakov, Luka Jabuia, Sergei Kukharchuk, Giorgi Terishvili, Irakli Kherashvili, Revaz Kiknadze and Valeri Tetriashvili—and ordered that they remain in pre-trial detention. The Prosecutor’s Office charged the eleven participants in the pro-European protest demonstrations with participation in group violence.

11 January 2025

Judge Irakli Khuskivadze examined the cases of eight prisoners of conscience—Vephkhia Kasradze, Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vasil Kadelashvili, Giorgi Giorgadze, Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliyev, Tornike Goshadze and Nikoloz Javakhishvili—and ordered that they remain in pre-trial detention.

The Prosecutor’s Office charged three defendants—Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vephkhia Kasradze and Vasil Kadelashvili—with organising and leading group violence, an offence punishable by six to nine years’ imprisonment. The remaining five defendants—Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliyev, Tornike Goshadze, Nikoloz Javakhishvili and Giorgi Giorgadze—were charged with participation in group violence, which carries a sentence of four to six years’ imprisonment.

11 January 2025

During a pro-European protest near Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, protest participant and disability rights advocate Gia Jvarsheishvili was detained.

According to a briefing by Eka Gigauri, Executive Director of Transparency International Georgia, and Nino Lomjaria, head of the organisation Georgia’s European Orbit, multiple rights were allegedly violated during Jvarsheishvili’s detention. He was reportedly subjected to both verbal and physical abuse.

12 January 2025

A large-scale protest entitled “Unfair Court” was held outside the Babilo restaurant on Beliashvili Street in Tbilisi. The demonstration was prompted by information circulated on social media and protest groups indicating that representatives of the judiciary, including leading judges associated with the so-called “judicial clan”, were holding a New Year’s corporate gathering at the restaurant.

The protest was fuelled by public outrage over the fact that, amid the country’s ongoing political crisis, mass demonstrations and the detention of protesters, judges were attending a festive dinner. The demonstration began in the afternoon, after which a large number of police officers and special forces units, including water cannon vehicles, were deployed to the scene. Law enforcement officers completely cordoned off the perimeter of the restaurant to prevent protesters from approaching those inside.

Police officers on the scene prevented members of the media from filming individuals leaving the restaurant. While the judges’ gathering was taking place, the protest continued throughout the day.

Police administratively detained nine individuals. They were charged under Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences, namely petty hooliganism and failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer. Notably, all detainees alleged that disproportionate force had been used against them during their detention.

The hearings concerning the detainees took place at Tbilisi City Court on 14 January. Eight activists were sentenced to terms of administrative detention by different judges.

Specifically:

Judge Lela Mildenberger sentenced Tite Gedenidze and Zviad Robakidze to 10 days of administrative detention, while Shako Maghradze was sentenced to 12 days of administrative detention.
Judge Zviad Tsekvava sentenced Daniel Bulkashvili to 14 days of administrative detention.
Judge Manuchar Tsatsua sentenced Zurab Manchkhashvili to 13 days of administrative detention, while Giorgi Chachanidze received 10 days of administrative detention.
Judge Koba Chagunava sentenced Beka Papashvili to 15 days of administrative detention.
Judge Nino Enukidze sentenced Kakha Japaridze to 10 days of administrative detention.

11–12 January 2025

During protest demonstrations held outside the Constitutional Court of Georgia and the Adjara Police Department in Batumi, police detained 13 activists.

On 11 January, detentions began outside Batumi City Court, where activist Tatia Abuladze was detained after attaching a protest poster. Later the same day, activist Tsiala Katamidze was detained outside the Adjara Police Department after displaying a poster of similar content.

Police subsequently detained Mate Tsenteradze, Goderdzi Prangishvili, Temur Katamadze, Lali Dgebuadze, Teo Beridze, Malkhaz Iremadze, and Nini Shavadze, who is a minor.

According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), some of the detainees were charged with failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer.

On 12 January, police detained several additional activists during the protest outside the Constitutional Court in Batumi, including Elizbar Chkhikvadze, Luka Natsvlishvili, Shushana Matsaberidze, and Levan Khorava.

According to GYLA, the detainees were transferred to Poti following their detention.

13 January 2025

Members of the ruling Georgian Dream party, Viktor Sanikidze and Irakli Zarkua, physically assaulted civil activist Lasha Gabitashvili in Dubai.

The incident followed Gabitashvili shouting “slave” and “traitor” at Georgian Dream Members of Parliament the previous day.

13 January 2025

Tbilisi City Hall employee Kristina Chubinidze was dismissed from her position.

The former public employee stated that she was dismissed because of her commitment to the Constitution and Georgia’s European values. According to her, although her employment relationship had been terminated on 31 December, she was informed of the dismissal only on 13 January.

Chubinidze was among the signatories of a public statement expressing support for Georgia’s European course

18 January 2025

During a protest held outside the Gldani-Nadzaladevi Police Department No. VII in Tbilisi, law enforcement officers detained several activists by use of force. Those detained included film director Guram Matskhonashvili, Sona Kalandadze, Mariam Paichadze, manager of the Haraki movement, Tamar Chumashvili, Roman Akopov, and Mariam Gilashvili. They were charged with wearing face coverings during a protest and with failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer.

Several of the activists administratively detained outside the Temka police station alleged that they had been subjected to physical and verbal abuse by police officers. According to their lawyer, police officers pulled Sona Kalandadze’s hair and verbally abused her while taking her into the police station. The lawyer further stated that Mariam Paichadze was also dragged by her hair during her detention. According to the same source, one alleged law enforcement officer dressed in civilian clothing mocked the detainees and humiliated them because of their participation in the protest.

According to Tamta Mikeladze, Executive Director of the Social Justice Center, Guram Matskhonashvili was struck on the back of the head while at the police station.

20 January 2025

Judge Nino Gudadze delivered the judgment in the case of prisoners of conscience Omar Okribelashvili and Saba Meparishvili.

The court sentenced both defendants to three years’ imprisonment, which was reduced to two and a half years under the amnesty law. Of this sentence, one year was suspended, while the remaining one year and six months is to be served in a penitentiary institution.

As Okribelashvili and Meparishvili have already spent eight months in detention, they are expected to remain in prison for approximately another ten months.

During the hearing held on 20 January, both defendants pleaded guilty to the charges against them. The Prosecutor’s Office accused them of acting jointly to damage a police barricade, causing damage assessed at GEL 400. According to prosecutor Nugzar Chitadze, the defendants had also compensated for the damage.

Omar Okribelashvili and Saba Meparishvili were originally detained by police during protests against the so-called “Foreign Agents Law.”

20 January 2025

Fridon Bubuteishvili, aged 20, who had been detained during protests against the so-called “Russian Law,” was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. The judgment was delivered by Judge Zviad Sharadze. The Prosecutor’s Office accused Bubuteishvili of damaging the gate of the Parliament building, causing damage estimated at GEL 500. He was also charged with throwing stones at a firefighter-rescuer.

26 January 2025

Civil activist Vakho Pitskhelauri was abducted and physically assaulted in the Tsmindatskali settlement of Gori. According to the activist, he was attacked by at least three masked individuals while walking to a local shop. Pitskhelauri links the attack to his civic activities.

29 January 2025

Citizens held another protest outside the Government House of Adjara in Batumi against the policies of the ruling Georgian Dream party and brought tents to the site of the demonstration. During the protest, police restricted the participants’ freedom of expression by preventing the use of protest tents and confiscating the tents brought by demonstrators.

20 January 2025

Film director Guram Matskhonashvili was fined GEL 2,000 by the court.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs charged him under Articles 173 and 174 of the Code of Administrative Offences, relating to failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer and wearing a face covering during a protest.

Matskhonashvili had previously been detained by law enforcement officers during the protest outside the Glldani-Nadzaladevi Police Department No. VII together with several other activists.

27 January 2025

The Zugdidi District Court imposed a GEL 2,000 fine on Mariam Sichinava, a political activist of the Droa party, for wearing a face covering during a protest, under Article 174 of the Code of Administrative Offences.

30 January 2025

Nino Khazalashvili, an employee of the Samtskhe-Javakheti Destination Management Organisation, stated that she was dismissed from her position after reacting (“haha” reaction) to a social media post.

According to Khazalashvili, for several weeks she had expressed reactions to social media posts related to civic activism, and believes that these reactions were the reason for her dismissal.

Incidents documented against civil activists – February 2025

Context

The incidents documented in February 2025 show that, during the month of February, the practice of pressure directed against civil activists continued actively. The cases described during the reporting period include administrative detentions, criminal prosecution, physical violence, financial sanctions, as well as alleged discriminatory decisions related to professional activity.

A significant part of the documented cases is linked to peaceful protest activity, including participation in demonstrations and the public expression of positions. At the same time, in a number of cases, there are indications of the use of force and ill-treatment by law enforcement bodies, pointing to risks of restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and expression.

Incidents:

On 2 February 2025, on the 67th day of the pro-European protests, a protest assembly was held in Tbilisi, near Tbilisi Mall, demanding the holding of new elections and the release of persons detained during the protests. During the assembly, police physically assaulted participants and detained a total of 31 persons under administrative procedure.

Among those detained were former President of the National Bank of Georgia Giorgi Kadagidze and Badri Grigalashvili, a political activist of the Coalition for Change, who was later removed from the police detention vehicle together with two other detainees. According to available information, one of them had visible injuries on his face. At the 2 February protest, detainees were physically assaulted by special forces officers under the command of Zviad Kharazishvili. Among the victims was chef Zurab Shonia, who was struck on the head by special forces officers. The activist had to be transferred to Ingorokva Clinic.

A statement disseminated by the Public Defender reads: “The facts of ill-treatment and excessive use of force by police against citizens, journalists and politicians, as reflected in video footage disseminated through public sources, are alarming. Information is also being disseminated about an injured TV Pirveli camera operator as a result of actions by police officers. We also saw, live on air, footage of verbal insults by police officers against women, including female politicians.”

On 4 February 2025, charges were aggravated against eight persons detained on 2 February near Tbilisi Mall — Irakli Tabatadze, Nikoloz Kutubidze, Vasil Eliava, Aleksandre Gogoladze, Dimitri Bidzinashvili, Gigi Ugulava, Irakli Tsignadze and Nikoloz Qumsishvili — who had initially been accused of an administrative offence. The Prosecutor’s Office accused them of committing an offence under Article 19-222 of the Criminal Code. This concerns an attempted group blockade of an object of strategic or special importance. The court imposed bail as a preventive measure on all eight persons and released them from the courtroom.

On 6 February 2025, at dawn, police detained three students of Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University — Achi Gochitashvili, Luka Khizadze and Giorgi Barbakadze. All three were demanding, from the corridor of the State University, the release of their comrades held in unlawful captivity and the holding of new elections. They were accused of failure to comply with a lawful order of a law enforcement officer, which is punishable under Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences by a fine or administrative detention.

On 11 February 2025, police fined Zura Tsetskhladze, the father of prisoner of conscience Zviad Tsetskhladze, GEL 5,000 on the basis of Article 174 of the Code of Administrative Offences. According to Zura Tsetskhladze, up to seven police officers were waiting for him near his home and served him with the fine report.

On 11 February 2025, four persons were detained during an ongoing pro-European protest on Rustaveli Avenue. Two of them were released on the basis of a written undertaking. Among those detained were Levan Gogichaishvili, Kakha Turmanidze and Giorgi Okribelashvili, the father of prisoner of conscience Omar Okribelashvili.

On 15 February 2025, the court fined Bacho Dolidze GEL 5,000. He was accused, in connection with the 11 February protest, of artificially blocking a road under Article 174 of the Code of Administrative Offences.

On 18 February 2025, civil activist Nikoloz Latsabidze was attacked by four unidentified individuals. The incident took place on Andronikashvili Street. The activist underwent medical examinations at Viva Med Clinic and was diagnosed with a concussion.

On 18 February 2025, Judge Koba Chagunava found civil activist Isako Devidze liable for an administrative offence and fined him GEL 5,000, while activist Mariam Gachechiladze was issued a verbal warning.

Isako Devidze had been detained on 19 November 2024 on Melikishvili Avenue. On 20 November, he was sentenced to eight days of detention on charges of petty hooliganism and failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer.

On 20 February 2025, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Lasha Diarov, a member of Strategy Aghmashenebeli. Diarov was accused of artificially blocking the carriageway on 14 February.

On 20 February 2025, several participants in the pro-European protest were issued fines. Eka Siradze, former Ambassador of Georgia to France, was fined GEL 5,000 for participating in the protest. Giorgi Kirakozashvili, the son of a soldier who died heroically in the August War, was fined GEL 1,000, while Nadim Khmaladze was served with two fine notices and is required to pay a total of GEL 25,000 in fines.

On 24 February 2025, teachers dismissed from their jobs spoke to TV Pirveli about political repression. Sophio Roinishvili, a former teacher at Kutaisi Public School No. 6, stated that her participation in a protest and a GEL 5,000 fine imposed for setting off fireworks became the basis for her dismissal. Manana Ghvinjilia, a dismissed teacher from Public School No. 51, is also preparing to defend her interests in court. According to her, she was dismissed before the elections solely because she was the head of the Chugureti organization of Strong Georgia.

On 27 February 2025, the court issued fines to participants in the pro-European protest. Judge Koba Chagunava fined parody artist Kartlos Natroshvili GEL 500 for standing at the Rustaveli protest. Judge Nino Enukidze also fined Nika Narsia on the grounds of road blocking.

Incidents documented against civil activists – April 2025

Context

The incidents documented in April 2025 show that the practice of pressure against civil activists continues to retain a systemic character and manifests in various forms. The incidents recorded during the reporting period relate to administrative detentions, physical violence, investigative actions, restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and expression, as well as alleged discriminatory decisions connected to professional activity.

A significant part of the cases remains linked to protest activity and the public expression of a pro-European position. At the same time, in a number of cases, there are indications of disproportionate interference by law enforcement bodies, including in the context of detentions, the use of force and the dispersal of protest assemblies.

During the reporting period, particular attention should be paid to investigative actions carried out in the homes of activists and representatives of foundations and human rights organizations, as well as cases of dismissal of persons employed in the public sector, which, according to the victims themselves, were linked to their civic activism.

Incidents:

On 1 April 2025, Luka Kintsurashvili, an active participant in pro-European protests, was detained by police under administrative procedure late at night. According to Tamta Mikeladze, Director of the Social Justice Center, the activist was stopped at 20:00 on Vazha-Pshavela Avenue and was asked to show the contents of Telegram on his phone. Kintsurashvili refused to do so. After that, police took Kintsurashvili’s phone and detained him.

On 8 April 2025, late at night, during a protest on Rustaveli Avenue, police detained three activists — Vato Samkharadze, Rezi Dumbadze and Tazo Kveselava — under administrative procedure. The Ministry of Internal Affairs charged them under Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences, concerning petty hooliganism and failure to comply with a lawful order of a police officer. According to lawyer Giorgi Tabatadze, detained activist Vato Samkharadze had a split lip and redness on his face. According to the lawyer, the activist sustained the physical injuries during his detention by police. As for the second detainee, Rezi Dumbadze, a police officer allegedly threatened and verbally insulted him.

On 9 April 2025, according to local activists, police did not allow citizens gathered near the 9 April Memorial in Zugdidi to express their protest and dispersed the assembly by force. Droa activist Mariam Sichinava wrote that one citizen was injured during the dispersal and had to be transferred to hospital. It appears that after the activists were removed from the area, representatives of the local authorities arrived at the 9 April Memorial.

On 12 April 2025, according to Batumi-based activist Tsiala Katamidze, the Ministry of Defence dismissed her from the position of reservist of the National Guard, a position she had held since 2022. According to the former reservist of the Defence Battalion of the National Guard of the Defence Forces, the reason for her dismissal was political and was linked to ongoing developments in the country.

On 14 April 2025, activist Lekso Samkharadze wrote on social media that unknown individuals attacked and physically assaulted him and his friend in Freedom Square. According to the activist, the attackers struck him with a sharp object in the area of the back and crown of his head, as a result of which he sustained multiple head injuries. As for Levan Kanchaveli, Samkharadze wrote that unknown individuals fractured his skull, requiring Kanchaveli to undergo surgery. In an interview with TV Pirveli, Levan Kanchaveli stated that the group attack was allegedly linked to his participation in pro-European protests.

On 14 April 2025, Transparency International Georgia issued a statement saying that Georgian Dream had dismissed up to 700 employees from dozens of public institutions with the aim of suppressing the protest wave in the country.

TI wrote that, under the pretext of reorganization, expiry of employment contracts or other formal grounds, employees were dismissed after signing protest statements concerning the suspension of European integration or after openly expressing critical views regarding the government’s policies.

Transparency International Georgia considers that, through four amendments made to the Law on Public Service since December 2024, Georgian Dream has significantly weakened the legal protection of civil servants and, in effect, dismantled the public service reform. The organization notes that the public service reform had been implemented for years with the support of international organizations and was one of the essential preconditions for the country’s integration into European structures.

On 16 April 2025, Gela Khasaia, a member of Girchi — More Freedom and a political activist, was sentenced by a judge of Tbilisi City Court to 12 days of administrative detention. Khasaia was accused of resisting police officers on 31 March; however, according to TV Pirveli, uninterrupted footage disseminated publicly shows that the activist followed the police voluntarily, without resistance.

On 21 April 2025, on Rustaveli Avenue, where participants in the pro-European protest were marking Easter together, police detained two persons. According to publicly available information, the detainees were Giorgi Ortoidze and Giorgi Samkharadze. One of the protest participants also published a video of the incident on Facebook. According to that participant, law enforcement officers detained the activists only because they were congratulating people on Easter.

On 29 April 2025, Tbilisi Court of Appeal refused to grant refugee status to Batumi flag-bearer Temur Katamadze. Temur Katamadze had requested that he be granted refugee status, as well as humanitarian or subsidiary protection status.

On 29 April 2025, employees of the Prosecutor’s Office conducted searches in the residential apartments of Nanuka Zhorzholiani, founder of the Nanuka Fund; her daughter, activist Mariam Geguchadze; activist Mariam Bajelidze; Aleko Tskitishvili, Head of the Human Rights Center; and Guga Kheladze, founder of the fund “For Each Other 24/7”. According to information disseminated by the Prosecutor’s Office, the searches were conducted within the framework of an investigation launched under Article 318 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, concerning sabotage. According to information disseminated by GYLA, lawyers were not given a full opportunity to attend the search procedures, and the court orders were general in nature: they did not specify the list of items, objects or materials to be discovered or seized during the searches.

The investigation in this case is being conducted on the basis of a complaint filed by Vato Shakarishvili’s organization, United Neutral Georgia.

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association responded by statement to the search-and-seizure operations carried out on 29 April in the homes of representatives of foundations. According to the organization, the morning search-and-seizure operations constituted another manifestation of Georgian Dream’s terror and, even under the presumption of an objectively conducted investigation, could not be assessed as an appropriate investigative measure.

Incidents Documented Against Civil Activists – 11–31 December 2024

Context

In the second half of December, practices of legal, administrative, and indirect pressure emerged against civil activists, citizens participating in protest actions, and persons employed in the public sector. The second half of December was marked by the tightening of legislative regulations, as well as by an increase in the practice of detentions and termination of labour relations. Below is an overview of developments that took place in the second half of December, based on information disseminated in the media and publicly available sources, and it may not reflect all cases.

Tightening of laws / legislative amendments: During the reporting period, Parliament adopted two packages of legislative amendments concerning the regulation of assemblies and demonstrations, the increase of administrative sanctions, rules governing service in the police, and the legal framework of public service.

Detentions: Between 11 and 31 December, at least 16 persons were detained under administrative law, while at least 1 person was detained under criminal law.

Administrative proceedings / verbal warnings: As a result of judicial review of administrative cases, at least 4 persons were issued verbal warnings.

Financial sanctions: In administrative proceedings, financial sanctions were imposed on at least 3 persons; the total amount of fines reached GEL 6,700.

Physical violence / ill-treatment: In at least 8 cases, activists alleged physical violence or ill-treatment, including in the context of arrest, transportation, being held at police stations, or during court proceedings.

Seizure of property / personal belongings: In at least 3 cases, detentions were accompanied by the alleged unlawful seizure or non-return of personal belongings, including mobile phones.

Retention, or non-return of property/personal belongings: At least 3 distinct practices were identified, including summoning activists for questioning or “interviews,” the use of migration mechanisms against foreign nationals participating in protests, and pressure on persons employed in public service. At least 24 persons employed in the public sector had their employment contracts terminated or not renewed.

11 December

In the Parliament of Georgia, “Georgian Dream” supported in the first reading a package of legislative amendments that included regulation of pyrotechnics and amendments to the Law on Police. The amendments initiated within the package envisaged placing the import, export, production, and sale of pyrotechnic products under a special permit regime. In addition, pyrotechnics were added to the list of items that would be prohibited to possess during demonstrations. The amendments to the Law on Police included in the same package regulated the rules for recruitment to the police, including the possibility of appointment without a special competition under conditions determined by an order of the Minister.

On 11 December, non-governmental organizations disseminated a joint statement, according to which the police were forcibly taking some citizens for questioning. The practice described in the statement was assessed as a possible mechanism of pressure. The organizations also indicated that, in some cases, lawyers were not given the opportunity to meet with the persons concerned.

On the same day, information was disseminated that foreign nationals participating in protest actions were being summoned to the Migration Department. According to the Social Justice Center, based on information received in recent days through the hotline of the legal aid network of non-governmental organizations, foreign nationals participating in protest actions were being summoned to the Migration Department. In parallel, according to reported information, one of the persons who appeared at the Migration Department was forced to leave the territory of Georgia through another country. The organization noted that the expulsion of foreign nationals from the country for participating in peaceful demonstrations does not comply with national legislation and international standards.

On 11 December, in Bolnisi Municipality, public school teacher and civil activist Pikria Epitashvili was attacked. According to reports, an unknown person approached Epitashvili and cut her in the facial area with a razor. Information about the incident was initially disseminated on social media. Epitashvili herself publicly stated that she had received medical assistance and that an investigation had been launched into the incident. In her published statement, the incident was assessed as an act of violence and intimidation linked to the ongoing developments in the country and to her civic position.

12 December

Guram Khutashvili was arrested on 11 December. He is charged with damaging 112 surveillance cameras, which provides for imprisonment from 3 to 6 years. The accused remains in pre-trial detention despite his confession, remorse, and readiness to compensate for the damage. According to the defence, under these circumstances, the use of detention has a punitive character. According to the case file, the accused states that damaging the cameras had not been his aim. Guram Khutashvili’s case was joined with the case of Daniel Mumladze, who was arrested on 9 December. Although the cases concern the qualification of a group offence, the court hearings on the imposition of preventive measures were held separately. The merits hearing will proceed in one set of proceedings.

On 12 December, in Tbilisi, Rondeli Foundation researcher Vato Bzhalava was detained under administrative-offence proceedings on the basis of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences: disobedience to a police order. According to reports, he was taken on Irakli Abashidze Street while walking his dog. According to the defence, after the detention, possible physical violence was used against Bzhalava at the police station and he was asked to provide the password to his phone. The administrative offence protocol referred to resistance; however, according to disseminated video footage, the detained person followed law enforcement officers without resistance.

In Tbilisi, poet Zviad Ratiani was attacked near the entrance of his residential building. According to him, several persons physically assaulted him, as a result of which he sustained injuries. Ratiani had previously been detained under administrative-offence proceedings at the protest action on 29 November. The court sentenced him to 8 days of administrative detention, and he was released on 9 December.

13 December

The Parliament of Georgia adopted amendments to the Law on Public Service under an expedited procedure, in three readings. The amendments concerned the rules for appointment to vacant positions, mechanisms for the evaluation of civil servants, and the regulation of reorganization. The law determined that heads of primary structural units and their deputies would become persons employed under administrative contracts. According to government representatives, the amendments do not automatically result in the termination of service relations, and after reorganization, the results of a competition will determine the status of employees.

The amendments were critically assessed by lawyers and civil society. According to the assessments expressed, the new regulations reduce labour protection guarantees for public servants, change evaluation rules, and limit the effectiveness of judicial control. According to non-governmental organizations, including GYLA, the amendments weaken mechanisms for the protection of rights and increase the risk of politicization of public service. The Public Defender also criticized both the legislative process and the content of the adopted norms, particularly with regard to the abolition of reinstatement rights for persons dismissed on the basis of reorganization.

On the same day, the Parliament of Georgia adopted, under an expedited procedure, a package of legislative amendments that significantly changes regulations related to assemblies and demonstrations, administrative sanctions, and rules of service in the police. The package combines amendments to several laws, including the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, the Code of Administrative Offences, and the Law on Police.

The amendments prohibited participants of an assembly or demonstration from carrying pyrotechnics, laser devices, or devices with sharp radiation, as well as from covering the face with a mask or other means. The law determined that the list of persons for whom covering the face will be permissible will be established by the Minister of Internal Affairs. These restrictions will enter into force immediately upon publication.

The amendment to the Law on Police determined that the rules and conditions for recruitment to the police without a special competition will be established by an order of the Minister.

The amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences significantly increased fines for various offences, including violations of the rules on assemblies, vandalism, and actions related to blocking roads. The legal grounds for administrative detention and the confiscation of items were also expanded.

The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association assessed these amendments as legislative initiatives of an undemocratic and repressive nature.

14 December

Tbilisi City Court sentenced Vato Bzhalava to 4 days of administrative detention. He had been detained in Tbilisi on Irakli Abashidze Street on 12 December, on the basis of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences. At the court hearing, Bzhalava stated that he had not resisted law enforcement officers during the detention. According to him, at the police station, one of the officers physically assaulted him and demanded the code to his mobile phone.

According to the party “Droa,” party member and political activist Niko Kvatsabaia was detained under administrative-offence proceedings. Initially, the party indicated that his whereabouts were unknown. Later, according to the lawyer, it was confirmed that Kvatsabaia had been detained under administrative-offence proceedings on the basis of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences. He was transferred to the Dighomi detention facility. According to the defence, the detained person had no injuries.

15 December

According to the lawyer, activist Niko Managadze was detained under administrative-offence proceedings on the basis of Article 173, paragraph 1, of the Code of Administrative Offences. According to reports, the detention took place on Kostava Street in Tbilisi, when he was returning from a protest. According to the defence, Managadze was detained by persons dressed in civilian clothes. According to the lawyer, after the detention, one of the persons entered where he was held and was rudely asking him why he went to protests and how long he intended to continue doing so. In addition, a few hours before the detention, Managadze had been summoned by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for questioning. The activist refused to appear at the department and requested questioning before a magistrate judge.

16 December

On 16 December, a number of statements were disseminated through the media and social networks, according to which demonstrators indicated that, during detentions and the dispersal of protests, their personal belongings, including mobile phones, had been confiscated. Some respondents described cases in which, according to them, the confiscation of items took place without any procedural documentation and by unidentified, often masked, persons. Demonstrators, including Giorgi Bregvadze, Besik Liparteliani, Gia Jvarsheishvili, and Salome Zandukeli, spoke about this practice. Activists also stated that, through special applications, the location of their devices was being registered near administrative buildings of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Non-governmental organizations publicly assessed this practice as possible cases of unlawful confiscation or appropriation and indicated that, in the event of a legal assessment, such actions may contain elements of both property-related and official misconduct offences. According to them, in some cases the confiscation of items was not reflected in the relevant protocols, while the victims did not have their belongings returned after release.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs denied the allegations disseminated and stated that the police acted within the powers granted by legislation. According to the agency, on the basis of the Law on Police and the Code of Administrative Offences, the police have the right, in cases provided for by law, to temporarily confiscate an item from a person. According to the Ministry, personal belongings lawfully confiscated are returned to detainees immediately upon release.

The court hearing in the case of Davit Gogilashvili was held on 17 December. Gogilashvili is detained on the basis of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concerns disobedience to a police order. He was detained at a protest action on 30 November. According to media reports, after the detention, Gogilashvili was transferred to a medical facility; he had a head trauma and injuries to the face. Gogilashvili indicates that physical violence was used against him during the detention. According to him, he was detained by the special-purpose unit, severely beaten, locked in a minibus for 9 hours while bleeding, and ultimately robbed as well. Despite these circumstances, law enforcement bodies allege that he committed an administrative offence.

19 December

A court hearing was held at Tbilisi City Court in the case of protest participant Giorgi Chutkerashvili. He was found to have committed an administrative offence under Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences and was fined GEL 2,000.

At the court hearing, Chutkerashvili stated that he had been detained on 2 December at the ongoing protest action on Rustaveli Avenue. According to him, the detention was carried out by members of the special-purpose unit. Chutkerashvili indicated that, during the detention, he was subjected to physical violence and ill-treatment. According to him, as a result of the detention he developed health problems, including deterioration of eyesight; he lost 20% of his vision. Chutkerashvili also stated that the injuries indicated in the official documentation did not reflect his actual condition.

Tbilisi City Court fined disability rights activist Gia Jvarsheishvili GEL 2,200 for disobedience to a police order. Jvarsheishvili was detained on 2 December on Besiki Street in Tbilisi. At the court hearing, he stated that, during the detention, he was subjected to physical violence, verbal abuse, and threats. According to him, these actions were carried out by law enforcement officers.

When Jvarsheishvili was making statements about the violence, the judge noted that these issues did not fall within the subject matter of the administrative offence hearing and indicated that the relevant agency should be addressed for a response to possible ill-treatment. According to information previously disseminated in the media, Jvarsheishvili indicated that, as a result of the detention, he sustained injuries to his health. According to the same reports, he also spoke about the confiscation of personal belongings.

20 December

According to the non-commercial legal entity “Gori Photographers’ Club,” Gori Municipality City Hall requested the termination of the contract concluded with them a few days after the opening of the installation “A City at War Does Not Apologize.” According to the organization, the termination of the contract is linked to their creative activity and freedom of expression. The club did not agree with the City Hall’s decision and announced the initiation of a legal dispute.

Later, Gori Municipality City Hall disseminated an explanation, according to which the contract was terminated on the basis of the conditions provided for in the contract. According to City Hall, the municipality had the right to terminate the agreement, while the reason for the decision was identified as the plan to establish an innovation centre in that space.

Davit Akhalkatsi, representative of the Akhaltsikhe office of the party “Akhali” and a political activist, was detained under administrative-offence proceedings. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, he was detained on the basis of Articles 116 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concern petty hooliganism and disobedience to a lawful order of a law enforcement officer. According to media reports, before the detention, a verbal confrontation was recorded between Davit Akhalkatsi and the Deputy Mayor of Akhaltsikhe. According to reports, the incident occurred during a New Year event.

23 December

Tbilisi City Court found Saba Kevkhishvili, who had been detained during the protest actions, to be an administrative offender and issued him a verbal warning. He was accused of committing an offence under Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concerns disobedience to a lawful order of a law enforcement officer. Kevkhishvili was detained on 1 December. According to Kevkhishvili, after the detention, physical and verbal violence was used against him. According to the Social Justice Center, “as a result of severe physical assault by masked special-purpose officers, he had injuries in the facial area — fractures of the nasal and jaw bones, as well as of the eye socket, and a concussion.”

Tbilisi City Court imposed a verbal warning as an administrative liability measure on actor Giorgi Bakhutashvili, who had been detained at a protest action. At the court hearing, Bakhutashvili explained that his detention took place in circumstances where he was calling on a police officer not to detain a citizen who was unwell. According to him, he did not enter into physical contact with the law enforcement officer and only addressed him verbally. Bakhutashvili stated that the detention took place precisely during this episode.

26 December

According to reports, the labour contracts of some employees working at the National Agency for Crime Prevention, Execution of Non-Custodial Sentences and Probation were not renewed from 2025. According to the Ministry of Justice, contracts were terminated for approximately up to 10 employees.

Social workers Ana Endeladze and Mariam Siradze publicly stated that their contracts had been terminated. According to them, the decision was unexpected and they did not receive relevant written justification. Both indicated that there had previously been no disciplinary or professional complaints against them.

A public statement was also made by mediator Giorgi Abuladze, who linked the termination of his contract to his political position. According to him, the agency did not renew contracts with three mediators.

According to the Social Workers’ Union, the termination of contracts affected several social workers. The organization considered the process suspicious and pointed to possible politically motivated decisions. For their part, the Ministry of Justice and the agency denied political motivation and stated that the decisions were linked to the expiry of short-term contracts.

On the same day, Giga Sopromadze, coordinator of disability programmes at Tbilisi City Hall, who had worked in this position for approximately 8 years, was dismissed from his job. According to documents publicly disseminated by him, the basis for the termination of the contract was the absence of the need for a non-staff position. The document states that the programmes implemented by City Hall already have coordinators, and therefore the existence of this position is no longer necessary. The order terminating the contract was signed by Kakha Kaladze. For his part, Giga Sopromadze stated that the decision was unexpected for him and that he had not previously received any complaints related to his professional activity. Later, on 27 December, Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze stated that Sopromadze’s dismissal had not been politically motivated. According to him, Sopromadze was a non-staff employee employed under a contract; the term of his contract had expired and there was no longer a need to renew it. According to publicly available information, Giga Sopromadze participated in ongoing protest actions and publicly expressed his position.

The organization Partnership for Human Rights responded to insulting and threatening messages disseminated on social media against disability rights activist and human rights defender Tatia Datashvili. According to reports, Tatia Datashvili stated that Facebook user Marina Kirtadze had disseminated insulting statements against her and sent her threatening voice messages. According to Datashvili, these actions were linked to her civic position and human rights work. According to the Partnership for Human Rights (PHR), Datashvili received insulting and threatening messages because of her activism and publicly expressed position. The organization addressed law enforcement bodies regarding this fact and requested an appropriate response.

27 December

According to the organization “Sapari,” they will provide legal assistance to Women’s March participant Ketevan Meskhi, who, according to reports, became a victim of physical violence on 25 December at Orbeliani Square. According to reports, the incident occurred during the Women’s March. According to available information, an unknown person verbally insulted participants of the march, after which he physically assaulted Ketevan Meskh. According to the victim, she sustained bodily injuries.

Former Tbilisi City Hall employee Nino Kiknadze publicly stated that the municipality terminated her labour contract. According to her, she was informed of the decision on 27 December and was told that her contract would no longer be renewed from 1 January 2025. According to Nino Kiknadze, the termination of the contract is linked to her publicly expressed political position. Kiknadze indicated that for years she had cooperated within Tbilisi City Hall on international cultural projects.

Tbilisi City Court imposed a fine of GEL 2,500 in an administrative case on Saba Skhvitaridze, who had been detained at a protest action. The decision was made by Judge Zviad Tsekvava. Administrative proceedings against Saba Skhvitaridze were conducted under Article 174¹, paragraph 4, and Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concern the artificial blocking of the carriageway, petty hooliganism, and disobedience to a lawful order of a police officer. According to the lawyer, the court examined these cases jointly. At the court hearing, Saba Skhvitaridze stated, regarding the circumstances of the detention, that his detention took place after a physical incident with the police. According to him, physical violence was used against him during the detention. During the same period, Saba Skhvitaridze was in detention within the framework of a criminal case; he had been arrested on 5 December. After the arrest, he spoke about ill-treatment by law enforcement officers.

According to information disseminated in the media, statements were made about possible pressure on some Tbilisi City Hall employees. According to an anonymous source, City Hall employees were being urged to withdraw their signatures from a public statement related to the European Union; otherwise, they were being warned about the non-renewal of labour contracts.

According to the same information, in one structural unit, a person in a managerial position was instructed to dismiss employees who had signed the statement, after which, according to reports, he left his position. Former City Hall employee Giga Sopromadze spoke publicly about these circumstances and stated that pressure was being exerted on employees who had signed the statement. According to him, the number of signatories decreased. Sopromadze referred to a relevant document, according to which the statement was initially signed by approximately 240 employees, while later the number of signatures decreased.

Tbilisi City Court found Sandro Bukia, who had been detained on 7 December, to be an administrative offender. By the decision of Judge Nino Enukidze, he was found to be an offender on the basis of Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offences and was issued a verbal warning. According to reports, Sandro Bukia was detained on 7 December in the area surrounding Rustaveli metro station. According to media reports, the detention took place while he was moving. According to media reports, during the detention, a family member pointed to the detained person’s health condition.

According to reports, behavioural therapist Salome Mchedlidze was dismissed from the Rustavi Municipality Rehabilitation and Development Centre. According to her, the labour contract, the term of which expired on 31 December, was not renewed from 2025. Salome Mchedlidze explained that she was involved in ABA therapy and rehabilitation-habilitation programmes. According to her, the only reason given for the termination of the contract was the expiry of the contract term, while she links the decision to her political position. According to her, the contract of one more behavioural therapist was also not renewed, while two employees, according to reports, left their jobs in solidarity with them.

Tbilisi City Court released protest demonstration participant Bilal Duishvili with a verbal warning within the framework of administrative proceedings. The decision was made by Judge Zviad Tsekvava. According to reports, Bilal Duishvili was detained on 4 December during the protest action. According to available reports, during the detention process he indicated physical violence by law enforcement officers. According to the same information, his personal belongings were confiscated during the detention. According to information disseminated in the media, after the detention Bilal Duishvili was transferred to a medical facility. According to reports, he had a fractured nose, multiple bruises, and a concussion, because of which he remained in a clinic for several days.

On 27 December, Taia Makharashvili, an employee of Tbilisi City Hall’s Media Relations Service, was dismissed from City Hall. According to her, the decision was political in nature. Makharashvili stated that the official reason given to her was that her labour contract would not be renewed because the position she held had been abolished. According to her, this explanation raises doubts, especially against the background that she was among the signatories of the public statement in which City Hall employees expressed loyalty to the Constitution and European integration. Makharashvili also indicates that a few days earlier she had participated in the establishment of a trade union together with other public servants, which, in her assessment, points to the possible political motive of the decision.

On similar grounds due to the abolition of the position Lana Kardava, an employee of the Public Relations Department, was also dismissed from City Hall. Kardava wrote on social media that she views the decision in a political context and links it to the ongoing developments in the country. The series of dismissals was preceded by another case: on 26 December, after 8 years of work, Giga Sopromadze, who held the position of coordinator of disability programmes, was dismissed from City Hall. It should be noted that the statement disseminated in early December, in which City Hall employees expressed support for the course of European integration, was signed by more than 220 employees. Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze publicly called this statement “sabotage” and stated that there would be a response.

On 27 December, Mikheil Butskhrikidze, Head of the Office of the Adigeni Municipal Council, was dismissed from his position. The decision was preceded by his public statement on social media, published on 26 December. Butskhrikidze stated that he distanced himself from the decision of “Georgian Dream” regarding the suspension of the European integration process and condemned the violent dispersal of citizens’ peaceful protest.

One day after expressing his public position, he was dismissed from the Municipal Council Office. Butskhrikidze himself also disseminated information about his dismissal on social media, where he stated that he had worked in public service for more than ten years and had served the country “with a clear conscience.”

29 December

On Rustaveli Avenue, in the area surrounding Kashveti Church, the police detained protest participants. According to eyewitnesses, the demonstrators were not occupying the carriageway and it was unclear to them what became the basis for the detentions. The situation on site became tense and there was a confrontation. One of the protest participants told the media that the gathered persons were standing on the sidewalk and near the lawn, while part of the road had been blocked by the police themselves. In his assessment, law enforcement officers were detaining people through the use of force.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs explained that 6 persons had been detained under administrative-offence proceedings. Later, the agency stated that all six detained persons had been released on the basis of a written undertaking. They were accused of petty hooliganism and disobedience to a police order. According to police officers on site, the reason for the detentions was the alleged insulting of law enforcement officers by protest participants.

According to the assessment of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the detentions were carried out by violent methods. The organization stated that actions such as pulling hair and dragging citizens on the ground were documented, which, in its assessment, violate the freedoms of peaceful assembly and expression and do not comply with legal norms.

30 December

Government Administration employee Mate Sokhadze states that his labour contract will not be renewed from January 2025. In his assessment, this decision is politically motivated.

Sokhadze writes on social media that he received information about the non-renewal of the contract at the end of December. According to him, the decision was not entirely unexpected, although he notes that he did not receive any official justification. Sokhadze links his dismissal to his public positions, including signing a statement by persons employed in the public sector and participating in protest actions. The Government Administration explains that Mate Sokhadze was a non-staff employee, the term of his contract had expired, and its renewal was not planned. The agency states that the decision is not linked to political factors and that it has no information about Sokhadze’s “political taste.”

Recently, information has been disseminated about the dismissal of a number of persons employed under labour contracts from public agencies. According to various media reports, the dismissals affected both the Crime Prevention and Probation Center and Tbilisi City Hall.

On 30 December, information was disseminated according to which some employees of the National Agency of Public Registry state that their labour contracts will not be renewed from 2025. The employees disseminated the relevant statements on social media.

One of the first persons to write publicly about the non-renewal of her contract was Ani Mamukelashvili, who noted that on 30 December an HR representative informed her of the decision. In her assessment, this step is linked to her signing of the petition of Public Registry employees. Nino Kharchilava also links her dismissal to her civic positions. According to her, for several years she was involved in the systematic land registration project and learned about the termination of her contract precisely after participating in the petition. A statement of similar content was disseminated by Sali Kapanadze, who writes that the agency ended cooperation with her after many years of work. Elza Geladze also links the decision to political circumstances and states that the official reason given to her was “the absence of a need for staff.” Fikria Ardia also speaks of a political motive, stating that the non-renewal of her contract is linked to her political views. In the same context, other agency employees — Ana Gurasashvili, Meri Tagoshvili, and Zura Gegeshidze — also write about their positions and dismissal, noting that the decision was politically motivated.

Actors dismissed from Marjanishvili Theatre

According to publicly available information, nine members of the troupe of Kote Marjanishvili State Academic Theatre were dismissed, including Eka Nizharadze, Natia Gubenko, Maia Katsitadze, Irakli Cholokashvili, Ninaka Gelashvili, Guram Jashi, and Zaza Iakashvili.

The theatre has not issued a public statement regarding any reorganization and has not provided reasons for the dismissals. According to the actors, in January, instead of the usual one-year contracts, they were offered three-month contracts, which expired on 30 April.

“I did not receive any official notification. They simply offered a three-month contract for the first time, and this was a sign for me that they intended to terminate the contract,” – stated Irakli Cholokashvili in an interview with TV Pirveli.

The dismissals took place against the backdrop of the active participation of part of the theatre community in anti-government and pro-European demonstrations. According to the dismissed actors and media reports, their civic engagement may have been the reason for the dismissals.