Mariami Kavshbaya, a journalist for the online media outlet “Publika,” was fined twice, totaling 10,000 lari, for “artificially blocking the road.” The administrative offense report against her was issued by the police on February 3, 2025. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused her of “artificially blocking the road” while performing her professional duties on that day. Kavshbaya presented evidence to the court, including photos taken on that day and materials published on Publika’s Facebook page. In addition, she informed CMIS that even the video provided by the Ministry shows that she was working at the time of the fine. Despite this, the court upheld the fine and ordered her to pay 5,000 lari, which she did. The second fine was imposed for “blocking the road” during a protest on March 14. Kavshbaya appealed this fine, but the court has not yet scheduled a hearing.
Incident type: Fines
Irina Makaridze was fined for 5,000 lari for “artificially blocking the road”
On April 25, 2025, journalist Irina Makaridze was notified that she had been fined 5,000 lari for “artificially blocking the road” on April 6. According to the journalist, she was on Rustaveli Avenue covering the protest for “Qronika+.” After appealing, Makaridze’s fine was canceled.
Georgian Dream increased the amount of fines in the context of the pro-European protests that began after November 28. According to amendments made to Georgia’s Code of Administrative Offence, the fine for illegally blocking a roadway has been increased tenfold from 500 GEL to 5,000 GEL.
“Tabula” Journalist Luka Luka Katsitadze, Fined 5,000 GEL
On April 12, 2025, Luka Katsitadze, a journalist for “Tabula,” was fined 5,000 lari for “artificially blocking the road.” According to “Tabula,” Katsitadze was performing his professional duties on Rustaveli Avenue.
Georgian Dream increased the amount of fines in the context of the pro-European protests that began after November 28. According to amendments made to Georgia’s Code of Administrative Offence, the fine for illegally blocking a roadway has been increased tenfold from 500 GEL to 5,000 GEL.
“Mauqceblis” Journalist Fined for “Artificially Blocking the Road”
On April 8, 2025, “Mauqceblis” journalist Tozu Gulmamedova was notified of a fine. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses her of “artificially blocking the road” on February 16 of the same year.
According to the online media outlet “Mauqceblis,” Tozu Gulmamedova was performing her professional duties at the protest on that day.
OC Media founder and photographer Mariam Nikuradze was fined four times for “artificially blocking the road” for a total of 20,000 lari
The Ministry of Internal Affairs fined OC Media founder and photographer Mariam Nikuradze four times on the grounds of “artificially blocking the road” — on March 11, March 15, and April 2 and 3. In total, the journalist has been fined 20,000 lari.
Mariam Nikuradze has appealed all of the fines. In one of the appeals, which concerned the road blockade on March 11, the Ministry of Internal Affairs refused to annul the fine. The remaining appeals are still under review.
According to the journalist, in all of the above cases she was carrying out her professional duties, was wearing press identification, and had a camera with her.