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The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics announced that, for the first time since 2012, it will not be able to monitor how media outlets cover election-related issues during the election period. In its statement, the Charter cited repressive legislation adopted by Georgian Dream as the reason.
Amid pro-European protest rallies, Georgian Dream passed several laws which, according to assessments by local and international organizations, significantly restrict independent media organizations.
The Georgian Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation against non-governmental organizations, including member organizations of the “Media Advocacy Coalition,” on charges of “sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, assistance in hostile activities to a foreign organization and an organization under foreign control, and mobilization of funds for activities directed against the constitutional order and foundations of national security of Georgia.”
On August 27, 2025, Tbilisi City Court satisfied the Prosecutor’s Office’s request and froze the bank accounts of these organizations.
Minutes after the Prosecutor’s Office released its statement, the pro-government TV company “Imedi” broadcast a story supporting the investigation, specifically using comments from civil sector representatives from pro-European rallies. The Prosecutor’s Office’s accusation charges the organizations with mobilizing funds to purchase special equipment (such as special gas masks, helmets, face coverings, medical masks, protective goggles) for participants of the pro-European rallies.
More than 50 civil society and media organizations expressed solidarity with the seized organizations.
“Taking punitive steps against Georgian non-governmental organizations, similar to the Russian authorities, confirms that the Ivanishvili government’s interest is the complete destruction of dissenting opinion and pro-European groups in Georgia,” the statement said.
Based on the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, the accounts of seven organizations were seized on August 27. These are: “Civil Society Foundation,” “International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy” (ISFED), “Institute for Development of Freedom of Information” (IDFI), “Guardians of Democracy,” “Georgian Democratic Initiative” (GDI), “Sapari,” and “Social Justice Center.” Among these, “Civil Society Foundation,” ISFED, IDFI, and GDI are members of the “Media Advocacy Coalition.”
Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of the Batumi City Court reclassified the charges against the founder of the online publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, and sentenced her to two years in prison.
Mzia Amaglobeli was charged with assaulting a police officer after slapping the Chief of Batumi Police, and was charged under Article 353 Prima of the Criminal Code, which envisions 4 to 7 years in prison. On the day of the verdict, the judge reclassified the charges to Article 353 Part One of the Criminal Code. The article in question refers to resisting a police officer, a special penitentiary service employee or another government official with the aim of obstructing the maintenance of public order, interrupting or changing his activities. The article provides for a fine or house arrest for a term of up to two years or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 6 years.
Mzia Amaglobeli’s attorneys plan to appeal the case after the verdict is handed down.
Mzia Amaglobeli was first arrested on January 11 of this year under administrative law, and a few hours later, on January 12, under criminal law.
Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of the Batumi City Court reclassified the charges against the founder of the online publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, and sentenced her to two years in prison.
Mzia Amaglobeli was charged with assaulting a police officer after slapping the Chief of Batumi Police, and was charged under Article 353 Prima of the Criminal Code, which envisions 4 to 7 years in prison. On the day of the verdict, the judge reclassified the charges to Article 353 Part One of the Criminal Code. The article in question refers to resisting a police officer, a special penitentiary service employee or another government official with the aim of obstructing the maintenance of public order, interrupting or changing his activities. The article provides for a fine or house arrest for a term of up to two years or imprisonment for a term of 2 to 6 years.
Mzia Amaglobeli’s attorneys plan to appeal the case after the verdict is handed down.
Mzia Amaglobeli was first arrested on January 11 of this year under administrative law, and a few hours later, on January 12, under criminal law.
“Cartu Bank,” 35% of which is owned by oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili’s son, Uta Ivanishvili, is suing “TV Pirveli” for defamation. The plaintiff demands that the channel not refer to the bank as “Ivanishvili’s” or “the oligarch’s” bank.
According to Nodari Meladze, head of TV Pirveli’s news department, the report that prompted the lawsuit was aired in a news broadcast and was based on a resolution of the European People’s Party (EPP), which called for Cartu Bank to be disconnected from the international payment system SWIFT.
“They are demanding that this report not be posted on online platforms. Apparently, this issue is problematic for the bank, and they are seeking a court ban on media use of terms like ‘Ivanishvili’s bank’ or ‘oligarch’s bank,’” Meladze told Netgazeti. He also noted that Cartu Bank is seeking only a denial of the facts presented in the report, not monetary compensation.
According to the Media Advocacy Coalition, this lawsuit represents another case of Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP): “This case is another clear example of the targeted repressive policy toward the media conducted by Bidzina Ivanishvili’s ‘Georgian Dream,’” the organization said in a statement.
On July 21, 2025, it was announced that Georgia’s Revenue Service had frozen the bank accounts of the media outlet Batumelebi. According to the organization, while the official reason given was debt, they believe the true intention is to shut down the media outlet.
According to media reports, the Revenue Service gave Batumelebi a five-day deadline to pay off the debt, warning that if they failed to do so, their accounts would be frozen, followed by seizure of property. The National Enforcement Bureau would then step in to sell the organization’s assets — including their office and editorial equipment.
Batumelebi reports that their current debt to the state includes a principal amount of 47,000 GEL, a penalty interest of 126,000 GEL, and a fine of 109,000 GEL. The outlet had acknowledged the debt and had been making monthly payments toward it. After receiving the threat of asset seizure, Batumelebi officially requested a payment schedule from the Revenue Service — an option allowed under the Tax Code — but their request was denied. On July 17, their accounts were frozen.
Batumelebi considers this action to be yet another form of pressure against the outlet and a step toward its closure. For over six months now, the founder and media manager of the outlet, Mzia Amaghlobeli, has been in detention. She is facing 4 to 7 years in prison for allegedly assaulting a police officer — the charge stems from an incident where she reportedly slapped the head of Batumi’s police. Her trial is nearing its end, with the final hearing — during which Judge Nino Galustashvili will announce the verdict — scheduled for August 1.
“The account freeze and the other measures planned in the coming week are clearly aimed at breaking Mzia Amaghlobeli — and ultimately, at dismantling the independent media organization she founded,” Batumelebi said in a statement. “One clear example confirms this: according to official data from May 21, 2025, the TV company Imedi owes 17 million GEL to the state, while Rustavi 2 owes 25 million GEL. Yet neither has faced such enforcement actions.”
The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics has also labeled this incident as pressure on the media. The Charter has urged the Revenue Service to lift the account freeze and offer Batumelebi a repayment plan. Another group, the Coalition for Media Advocacy, also condemned the move, calling it part of a broader campaign by the ruling party, Georgian Dream, against independent journalism and media.
International human rights organization Amnesty International also responded, stating:
“The independent Georgian outlet Batumelebi had its accounts frozen after allegations of police violence emerged against its founder, Mzia Amaghlobeli, who is currently unlawfully detained and facing a flawed trial. Amnesty calls for a full investigation into all allegations of police abuse.”
Update (July 22):
Following widespread public outcry — both locally and from international media organizations — the Revenue Service offered Batumelebi a payment plan and agreed to lift the account freeze. That same day, thanks to a major campaign by readers and supporters, Batumelebi managed to raise funds to cover the principal part of their debt.
On July 21, 2025, it became known that the Revenue Service had placed a lien on the accounts of the publication Batumelebi. According to the organization, the official reason is debt, but the real reason is the intention to shut down the media organization.
According to media reports, the agency gave them a five-day deadline to pay the debt; otherwise, the accounts would be subjected to a lien, after which the property would be seized and the National Bureau of Enforcement would begin the enforcement process — selling the organization’s assets, including its office and editorial technical equipment.
According to the publication, at this stage their debt to the budget — the principal amount — is 47,000 GEL, with interest adding 126,000 GEL and a fine of 109,000 GEL. Batumelebi had acknowledged its debt to the state and had been making monthly payments to cover it. After the threat of a lien, Batumelebi officially contacted the Revenue Service and requested a payment schedule (the Tax Code allows debt to be paid in installments), but they were refused. On July 17, Batumelebi’s accounts were subjected to a lien.
The publication perceived this action as another attempt to pressure them and as an effort to shut down the media outlet. For more than six months, the founder and media manager, Mazia Amaglobeli, has been in detention. She is accused of assaulting a police officer for slapping the chief of Batumi police and faces 4 to 7 years in prison. Her trial is nearing its conclusion, with the final session — where Judge Nino Galustashvili will announce the verdict — scheduled for August 1.
“The lien and all other operations planned in the past week are aimed at breaking Mazia Amaglobeli and, in the long term, destroying the media organization she founded. A simple confirmation of this is one example: according to official information from the Revenue Service on May 21, 2025, TV company Imedi owes 17 million GEL to the budget. Rustavi 2 owes 25 million GEL to the budget,” the organization stated.
The “Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics” also assessed the incident as pressure on the media. The charter urges the Revenue Service to lift the lien on the publication’s accounts and to provide a schedule for debt repayment. Batumelebi’s case is part of a systemic campaign carried out by the Georgian Dream party against independent journalism and media, according to a statement by another organization, the “Media Advocacy Coalition.”
The international human rights organization Amnesty International also commented on the situation: “The accounts of the independent Georgian publication Batumelebi were frozen after alleged cases of police violence against its founder, Mazia Amaglobeli, who is currently unlawfully detained and facing a tainted trial. Amnesty calls for a full investigation of all allegations of police violence,” the statement read.
Update: On July 22, after the news received significant attention from both local and international media organizations, the Revenue Service offered Batumelebi a payment schedule and lifted the lien. On the same day, thanks to support from readers who launched a major campaign to help the publication, the principal amount of the debt was covered.
On July 3, 2025, the Communications Commission found TV companies “TV Pirveli”, “Mtavari Arkhi” and “Formula” to be violators of the law. The case concerns a complaint by “Georgian Dream” against the television stations. The party appealed to the commission on June 1 and complained about terms such as: “illegitimate parliament”, “oligarch’s regime”, “regime prisoners”, “illegitimate government”, “clan’s court” and others. The complaints submitted by “Georgian Dream” are based on amendments to Georgia’s Law on Broadcasting. These amendments were approved by parliament on April 1, as a result of which the Communications Commission’s powers were expanded.
The Media Advocacy Coalition called on the Communications Commission to be independent and a defender of free speech.
“The Commission should take into account that the public interest in critical assessment of political forces is higher. The media should have the right to give appropriate characterization and assessment to the processes taking place in the country. This is the essence of journalism” – the statement reads.
Radio Liberty journalist Giorgi Diasamidze was accused and fined for allegedly blocking the road while covering the February 17, 2025 rally. He was notified by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on February 21. The agency explained that he was fined 5,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road” near the parliament. The journalist appealed the fine, on the basis of which he was informed that the fine had been lifted.
On June 19, 2025, the Media Development Fund (MDF) received a court order informing them that the Anti-Corruption Bureau had launched an investigation into the organization’s activities. The Bureau is demanding a large amount of information, including the personal data of beneficiaries and partner organizations.
Documents show that one of the reasons for the court order was the publication of joint statements by non-governmental organizations about the state of media freedom and pressure on journalists. MDF has appealed the decision.
MDF is a member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN). EFCSN issued a public statement expressing solidarity with fact-checking platforms in Georgia. The statement notes that Myth Detector (a project by MDF) operates with high standards of transparency and journalistic methodology.
In addition to MDF, the Anti-Corruption Bureau has opened proceedings against three other member organizations of the Media Advocacy Coalition: Transparency International Georgia, Civil Society Foundation, and ISFED. In total, the court has already issued orders concerning seven civil society organizations.
The Media Advocacy Coalition views the adoption of the so-called “Russian laws” as a coordinated attack on civil society organizations. The Coalition is calling on all democratic forces in Georgia—including media outlets, civil society representatives, and individual citizens—to come together in defense of media freedom and civil society.
“Protecting media freedom and civil society is the foundation of democratic liberty,” the statement reads.
