Civic activist Ana Ingorokva stated on social media that enforcement proceedings were initiated against activist Data Chachua, and a seizure was imposed without him having received prior information regarding the fine. According to the same source, upon seeking clarification, he was informed that he had been administratively fined in March 2025 for blocking a road. The amount of the fine is GEL 5,350.
Incident type: Financial Sanctions
Bank accounts of civil activist Natia Gabrava were subjected to seizure following a fine imposed for a social media post
According to civil activist Natia Gabrava, enforcement proceedings were initiated against her and her bank accounts were subjected to seizure due to a fine imposed in connection with a social media post concerning a senior official of the Patrol Police Department, Lasha Salukvadze.
According to the case materials, Gabrava referred to Salukvadze in an offensive manner on social media, following which Salukvadze filed a complaint with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The case was examined under Article 173(2) of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concerns verbal insult of a law enforcement officer. In November, 2025 Judge Tornike Kochkian of the Tbilisi City Court imposed a fine of GEL 5,000 on Gabrava.
Due to non-payment of the fine, enforcement proceedings were initiated, and the National Bureau of Enforcement imposed seizure on Gabrava’s bank accounts. According to Gabrava, the total amount subject to seizure is GEL 5,350. She further stated that the seized funds included money collected to support the family of a detainee.Gabrava later wrote on social media that the required amount was raised through public support.
The Prosecutor’s Office seeks the extension of seizure measures on charitable foundations
Journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani wrote on social media that she had received a court ruling according to which Prosecutor Ani Khubejishvili requested the extension of seizure measures imposed on charitable foundations.
The case concerns bank accounts that were frozen by a court ruling in March 2025, upon the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, affecting several charitable and non-governmental organisations, including the “Nanuka’s Fund”. According to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, the seizure measures were imposed within the framework of an ongoing investigation classified as sabotage and assistance to hostile activities, initiated on the basis of a complaint filed by the movement “United Neutral Georgia”, founded by Vato Shakarishvili. The movement was established on 10 July 2024, and its statements are frequently disseminated by media outlets affiliated with the authorities. The organisation is considered to be affiliated with “Georgian Dream” and often reiterates its messaging.“Nanuka’s Fund” is a charitable organisation established in 2020, which has provided assistance to socially vulnerable individuals, persons with serious medical conditions, and, during November–December 2024, was actively involved in humanitarian and social support activities related to pro-European protests.
The National Bureau of Enforcement imposed a seizure measure against a civil activist without prior notification
Keti Kherashvili, a civil activist and the sister of prisoner of conscience Irakli Kherashvili, wrote on social media that she had been contacted by the National Bureau of Enforcement of Georgia and informed that she had been fined GEL 5,000 on the basis of information received from the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to her, she had not previously been aware of the existence of this fine and, accordingly, had not paid it. She further stated that this is not the only fine imposed on her in connection with her participation in protests.
Subsequently, Keti Kherashvili wrote on social media that enforcement proceedings had been initiated against her and that the Bureau had applied a seizure measure. According to her, the case reached the enforcement stage and the proceedings were conducted without her having been informed of the existence of the fine.
Activist Magda Mamukashvili fined GEL 5,000
On 19 March, Judge Tornike Kochkian of the Tbilisi City Court fined activist Magda Mamukashvili GEL 5,000. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused her of blocking a roadway during a pro-European protest held in front of Parliament on 7 March.
Mamukashvili wrote on social media that this constitutes the second fine imposed on her and that the decision was taken without consideration of her personal and family circumstances. She further stated that, during the court hearing, it was indicated that the sanction was imposed for her brief presence on the roadway, while, according to her, previous incidents involving violence and verbal abuse against her had not elicited any response from law enforcement authorities.
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.
Active Protest Participants Magda Mamukashvili and Mako Kapianidze Fined 5,000 GEL Each for Allegedly Blocking a Roadway
On 9 March, Judge Zviad Tsekvava imposed administrative fines in the amount of 5,000 GEL each on active protest participants Magda Mamukashvili and Mako Kapianidze. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that, during a protest held on 31 January, they had artificially blocked a roadway. In its decision, the court refrained from imposing administrative detention. The court noted that both individuals are mothers of children under the age of 12, a circumstance precluding the application of administrative detention under the applicable legal framework.
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.
Civil Activist and Georgian Technical University Professor Temur Berianidze Found Liable for Administrative Offence for Sidewalk Protest
Judge Davit Makaradze of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist and professor at Georgian Technical University, Temur Berianidze, liable for an administrative offence related to a protest on the sidewalk and imposed a fine of 5,000 GEL. Berianidze is a veteran of the War in Abkhazia (1992–1993) and holds the status of a person with a disability. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia alleged that on 17 December 2025 Berianidze created an obstruction to pedestrian movement on the sidewalk near the Parliament of Georgia in Tbilisi.Administrative proceedings against citizens in relation to sidewalk protests commenced following legislative amendments adopted by Georgian Dream on 12 December 2025. As a result of these amendments, protest activity on sidewalks was, in effect, also prohibited. For a first violation, the legislation provides for administrative detention for a period of up to 15 days (up to 20 days in the case of an organizer), while a repeated violation may result in the imposition of criminal liability. According to the assessment of Transparency International Georgia, “the detention of an individual for standing on a sidewalk, even under administrative procedure, let alone the imposition of criminal punishment cannot withstand any criticism when assessed against the standards of freedom of assembly guaranteed by the Constitution of Georgia and by international human rights instruments.” In the so-called “sidewalk cases,” court proceedings have already concluded in relation to more than 20 activists. Some of them were subjected to administrative detention, while others (predominantly women) received verbal warnings. Administrative proceedings have also been initiated against a number of other activists, while court hearings in their cases have not yet been scheduled.
Civil Activist Baia Margishvili Released on Bail in Criminal Case Initiated for Tearing Court Documents
Civil activist Baia Margishvili was subjected to a preventive measure of bail in the amount of 5,000 GEL in a criminal case initiated against her on charges of contempt of court. The bail measure was imposed in her absence.
The incident that gave rise to the investigation occurred on 7 November 2025. On that day, Judge Zviad Tsekvava of the Tbilisi City Court was hearing a case concerning the alleged artificial blocking of a roadway by Margishvili. During the hearing, Margishvili stated: “They have torn the Constitution over your head – what are you talking about? This is how they have torn the Constitution over your head.” She then took the hearing record, tore it up, and scattered the pieces on the table in front of the judge. Following the incident, she was fined 200 GEL and removed from the courtroom.
On 10 February of the current year, Margishvili was notified that criminal proceedings had been initiated against her in connection with the same incident for which she had previously been fined. She has been charged under Article 366(2) of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns the insult of a judge or juror and is punishable by a fine, corrective labour for a term of one to two years, or imprisonment for up to two years.
Civil Activist Nuca Makharadze Fined 4,500 GEL Following Detention at Protest near the Iranian Embassy
Judge Zviad Tsekvava of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist Nuca Makharadze, who was detained on 14 January 2026 during a demonstration held near the Embassy of Iran in Tbilisi, liable for administrative offences and imposed a fine of 4,500 GEL. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) alleged that the activist had failed to comply with a lawful order of a police officer (Article 173(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences) and had verbally insulted a police officer (Article 173(2)).
These provisions of the Code of Administrative Offences provide for a fine ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period of up to 60 days. The repeated commission of the same offences entails a fine ranging from 3,500 to 6,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period ranging from 7 to 60 days.
On 14 January, a demonstration in solidarity with the Iranian people took place near the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi. According to Radio Liberty, prior to Makharadze’s detention, demonstrators were expressing their protest by crossing the road from one side to the other when the traffic light turned green at the intersection near the embassy. Subsequently, as explained by the police, the traffic light “malfunctioned,” and Makharadze began crossing the road at that moment.
The first hearing in Makharadze’s case was held on 16 January. During the hearing, she reportedly felt unwell. Makharadze also raised allegations of ill-treatment while being held in a temporary detention facility.
Bank Accounts of Activist Mariam Tsomaia Subject to Seizure Measures Due to Non-Payment of Administrative Fine
On 6 February 2026, civil activist Lasha Janjgava disseminated information via social media indicating that the bank accounts of activist Mariam Tsomaia had been subject to seizure measures due to the non-payment of an administrative fine. According to documents attached to the post, on 5 September 2025, Judge Lela Tsagareishvili of the Tbilisi City Court found Tsomaia liable under Article 166(1) (minor hooliganism) and Article 173(1) (non-compliance with a lawful order of a law enforcement officer) of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia, and imposed an administrative fine of GEL 2,500.
According to the information shared by Janjgava, the decision was not served on Tsomaia following her administrative detention, and she reportedly became aware of the enforcement measure only after her bank accounts had been seized.
Mariam Tsomaia was detained by police on 2 September 2025 on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, along with eighteen other demonstrators. On that date, the Parliament of Georgia was hearing a report prepared by the Temporary Investigative Commission established under the leadership of Georgian Dream member Tea Tsulukiani. The commission examined the activities of political office-holders and current or former officials affiliated with the United National Movement during the period 2003–2012. According to available information, citizens initially gathered near the Parliament building and subsequently on Rustaveli Avenue to protest the findings of the commission.