Legal incident

Editor-in-Chief of “Media April,” Khatia Ghoghobersidze, fined 5,000 GEL for “blocking the road”

On May 31, 2025, the editor-in-chief of the news agency “April,” Khatia Ghoghobersidze, published a post on Facebook stating that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for “blocking the road” while performing her professional duties.

According to the journalist, she was contacted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on April 4 and was informed about the imposed fine. After Khatia Ghoghobersidze explained to the police that she was engaged in journalistic work during a march and even sent them the material she had prepared about the event, the police requested time to investigate the matter. However, despite her explanations and the submitted evidence, she was issued a formal fine notice.

Khatia Ghoghobersidze plans to take legal action against the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to publicly available sources, since November 28, 2024, around 35 administrative fines have been issued. Most of these cases are still under review, both by the Ministry and the courts. So far, two journalists have been found guilty by the court and were fined administratively.

Media April Editor-in-Chief Khatia Gogoberidze Fined 5,000 GEL for ‘Blocking the Road’

On May 31, 2025, Khatia Gogoberidze, editor-in-chief of the news agency April, posted on the social media platform Facebook that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road” while performing her professional duties.

According to the journalist, the Ministry of Internal Affairs contacted her on April 4 to inform her of the fine. After Gogoberidze explained to the police that she was engaged in journalistic activity during the march and even provided the materials she had prepared about the event, the police requested time to review the matter. Despite her explanations and the evidence submitted, the journalist was still issued a formal notice of the fine.

Khatia Gogoberidze plans to pursue legal action against the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

“Publika” Journalist Mariam Kavshbaia Fined 5,000 GEL

On May 23, 2025, “Publika” journalist Mariam Kavshbaia was fined 5,000 GEL by Judge Zviad Tsekvava.

The police issued an administrative offense report against Mariam Kavshbaia on February 3 of this year. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused the journalist of illegally blocking the road while carrying out her professional duties.

Mariam Kavshbaia presented evidence in the court — including photos she had taken that day, as well as her publications posted on “Publika’s” Facebook page. Additionally, video footage submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs itself showed the journalist working during the protest. Nevertheless, the court upheld the fine and ordered the journalist to pay 5,000 GEL.

“Publika” Journalist Mariam Khashbaia Fined Twice 10,000 GEL for “Artificially Blocking the Road”

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.

Ministry of Internal Affairs Initiates Another Administrative Case Against Mzia Amaghlobeli

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched yet another administrative case against Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti.

This time, the Ministry accuses the journalist of placing a sticker on an auxiliary building in front of the Batumi Police Department on the evening of her arrest, January 11, 2025, alleging damage to the appearance of the structure.

It has been more than four months since Mzia Amaghlobeli’s arrest. While in detention, the journalist went on a hunger strike for 38 days.

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.

“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.

During the coverage of the December 6-7 protest, Journnalists were detained, injured, or faced obstruction in their professional work

On December 7, in Tbilisi, on Besiki Street, masked individuals violently attacked the TV Pirveli crew, journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli. The incident occurred while the crew was broadcasting live. They were reporting on how masked individuals were ambushing and attacking citizens. In the video footage from the scene, an unknown masked individual is seen sneaking up behind Maka Chikhladze, grabbing her, and throwing her to the ground. Cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli was kicked in the head. The crew required medical assistance after the attack. “They took the microphone, took the camera, hit both of us, and shouted, ‘What are you reporting, you bastards?’ The police were standing right here, at this spot, when it happened. They failed to react and just walked away. We were attacked and beaten. They’re marauders in black masks,” said Maka Chikhladze.

On December 7, a journalist from Palitranews who was filming the dispersal of the protest with a mobile phone, was obstructed by riot police. In a video footage shared by Mtavari Arkhi, the journalist states that they were broadcasting live when the officer seized their phone and threw it away. At the time, the journalist was wearing an identification badge clearly indicating their media affiliation.

In the early hours of December 7 Mtavari Arkhi journalist and host Beka Korshia was detained during a protest. According to the TV channel, Korshia was physically assaulted during the arrest. “Beka Korshia was detained on Elbakidze, where the riot police unit were simply moving. His arrest was entirely unlawful. Afterwards, he was kept out of contact for four hours, and we were unable to reach him or gather any information. We were also denied the opportunity to exercise his right to legal defense,” Korshia’s lawyer stated.

At the protest, riot police verbally harassed Mtavari Arkhi journalist Dea Mamiseishvili.

On the morning of December 7, the JRC filming crew was covering the encirclement of peaceful protestors and the violent arrest of demonstrators by police forces when members of the riot police obstructed their work and attempted to detain them. JRC has released video footage of the incident.

On December 7, Caucasian Knot correspondent Beslan Kmuzov was detained by riot police while reporting. Kmuzov said he was detained after taking a photo of riot police who were aligned on Shota Rustaveli avenue. Riot police confiscated Kmuzov’s phone. The court imposed a fine of 2,000 GEL on the journalist and he was released on December 9.

On the morning of December 7, the JRC filming crew was covering the encirclement of peaceful protestors and the violent arrest of demonstrators by police forces when members of the special forces obstructed their work and attempted to detain them. JRC has released video footage of the incident.