Legal incident

“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.

MIA Accuses Netgazeti Journalist of “Artificially Blocking the Road”

Netgazeti journalist Keti Khutsishvili provided CMIS with information regarding two fines issued against her. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) fined Khutsishvili a total of 10,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road”—the first instance occurring on April 2, 2025, and the second on June 13, 2025. The journalist has appealed both fines, which are currently under review.

Keti Khutsishvili was performing her professional duties at the time the fines were issued.

CMIS is documenting cases of journalists who have been fined or administratively detained on the grounds of “artificially blocking the road.”

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.

Founder and Director of Batumelebi detained on criminal charges

On January 14, 2025, Mzia Amaglobeli, the founder and director of the independent online magazine Gazeti Batumelebi, was remanded in custody by the Batumi City Court.

The investigation against Mzia Amaghlobeli continues under Article 353¹ of the Criminal Code. This article refers to an attack on a police officer, a member of the special penitentiary service, another representative of the authorities, or a public institution, which is punishable by imprisonment for a term of 4 to 7 years.

Late on the night of January 11, Mzia Amaghlobeli was arrested twice. Initially, she was detained for posting a sticker on the police station door saying “Georgia Is Going On Strike.” Within a few hours of her arrest, she was released on the basis of a written statement. However, shortly after her release, she was re-arrested on charges related to a scuffle involving police and protesters, which prompted provocative actions from the police.

As reported by Netgazeti, the incident preceded confrontations and clashes between protesters and police, leading to provocative actions from the police.

On December 1-2, During the coverage of the protests 11 members of the media were detained, injured, or obstructed in their professional work

On December 2, during a raid at the Rustaveli metro station, the riot police detained Giorgi Chagelishvili, a journalist from the online media platform Mautskebeli. In a video posted on social media, Chagelishvili is seen informing the riot police that he is a journalist; nonetheless, he was detained.
On December 2, at the Rustaveli metro station, while filming the detention of protesters, a journalist from the online media platform Publika was pushed by the riot police, causing them to drop the phone that was used to record the incident.
On December 2, the editor of OC MEDIA, Mariam Nikuradze, was slammed into a wall by the riot police damaging her camera.
On December 2, a journalist from the pro-government TV station Rustavi 2, Tamta Chitishvili, was injured in the leg near the Parliament building. According to information released by the TV station, the journalist underwent surgical intervention.
On December 2, pro-government TV station Rustavi 2 cameraman Giorgi Nergadze was injured near the Parliament building. Emergency medical personnel provided first aid.
On December 2, TV Pirveli cameraman Niko Kokaia was injured during the protest. According to him, he was likely sprayed with pepper spray. Emergency medical personnel provided assistance at the scene. Additionally, according to the NGO Media Ombudsman, journalist Mariam Makasarashvili was also injured along with Kokaia.
On December 2, while filming the detention of citizens who had entered a business center on Besiki Street, a TV Pirveli cameraman was threatened by members of the riot police, who told him not to record any footage.
On December 2, according to the online media outlet April, their journalist Giorgi Baskhajauri was attacked by the riot police while carrying out his professional duties. Baskhajauri was filming the detention of protestors when the officer attempted to seize his phone and chased after him.
On December 2, photographer Mirian Meladze was injured. He posted a photo of his injured leg on his personal Facebook page and wrote that the incident occurred three days before.
On December 2, Media worker at a propagandist pro-government Post TV Guranda Bilikhodze was injured by a tear gas canister, according to independent media outlet Publika.ge.