Legal incident

Georgian Journalist Fined for ‘Blocking Road’ While Covering Protest

Since November 28, 2024, during the ongoing pro-European protests in Georgia, journalists have repeatedly faced attacks and unlawful restrictions. There have been numerous cases of media workers being unjustly sanctioned while performing their professional duties — including fines for allegedly blocking roads while reporting on the protests, often without any legitimate basis.

Blocking the road is considered a violation of the rules for organizing and holding assemblies and demonstrations under Article 174¹ of the Administrative Offenses Code. Journalists who are being prosecuted on these grounds were simply carrying out their professional duties during the protests. While demonstrators move onto Rustaveli Avenue and block the roadway, journalists are on the scene — doing live broadcasts, conducting interviews, taking photos and videos, and performing other reporting tasks.

Since November 28, there have been 33 recorded cases of journalists being fined for “blocking the road.”

The Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Mariam Nikuradze, founder and photographer of OC Media, four times for “blocking the road” — on March 11, March 15, April 2, and April 3. In total, the journalist has been fined 20,000 GEL. Mariam Nikuradze has appealed all the fines. In one of the cases — related to the March 11 road blockage — the Ministry of Internal Affairs rejected her request to have the fine canceled. The remaining cases are still under review. According to the journalist, in all of the incidents mentioned, she was carrying out her professional duties, wearing a press badge, and had a camera with her.
On May 23, 2025, judge Zviad Tskekvava fined Mariam Kavshbaia, a journalist from Publika, 5,000 GEL. The administrative offense report against her was filed by police on February 3 of this year. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused the journalist of “blocking the road” while performing her professional duties. Mariam Kavshbaia presented evidence to the court — including photos she took that day and her published reports on Publika’s Facebook page. Additionally, video footage submitted by the Ministry itself showed her working during the protest. Despite this, the court upheld the fine and ordered her to pay 5,000 GEL.
On April 25, 2025, journalist Irina Makaridze was notified that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for allegedly “illegally blocking the road.” According to the journalist, she was on Rustaveli Avenue performing her professional duties, covering the protest for Qronika +.
On April 12, 2025, Tabula news agency journalist Luka Katsitadze was fined 5,000 GEL for “blocking the road.” The online outlet Tabula reports that on April 12, Luka Katsitadze was on Shota Rustaveli Avenue carrying out his professional duties.
On April 10, 2025, Formula TV journalist Eliso Jarishvili was informed that she had been fined 5,000 GEL for “illegally blocking the road.” The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses her of blocking the road on March 12, during which time she was performing her professional duties.
On April 10, photographer Goga Chanadiri was fined 5,000 GEL by Judge Nino Enukidze. He is accused of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue. The photographer responded to the court’s decision on social media, writing that he has attended nearly every rally and protest, covering them in various ways. He considers the fine to be unfair.
On April 8, 2025, Public Broadcaster journalist Tozu Gulmamedova was notified of a fine. She is accused of “blocking the road” on February 16 of the same year. According to the Public Broadcaster, Tozu Gulmamedova was performing her professional duties at the protest that day.
Khatia Ghoghoberdze, editor-in-chief of the media outlet April, was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs for allegedly “blocking the road” while carrying out her professional duties. The Ministry accuses the journalist of blocking the road on March 29. “In the official notice delivered to Ghoghoberdze, there is no mention of her performing professional duties — she is identified as a protest participant. The journalist plans to appeal the fine in court,” April reports.
On March 25, 2025, Voice of America’s correspondent in Georgia, Nino Dalakishvili, was fined 5,000 GEL for allegedly blocking the road. She is accused of “blocking the road” at a time when she was performing her professional duties — broadcasting live from the area near the Parliament.
On March 21, 2025, Netgazeti online outlet journalist Nino Baidauri was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She is accused of “blocking Rustaveli Avenue.”
On March 19, 2025, Radio Tbilisi journalist Merab Merkviladze received a notice of a 5,000 GEL fine.
TV Pirveli photojournalist Giorgi Mosiashvili was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Police accuse Mosiashvili of “illegally blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue at 9:03 PM on March 11. In a social media post, Mosiashvili stated that at the time of the fine, he was on Rustaveli Avenue performing his professional duties. This is Mosiashvili’s second fine. The first was issued on February 21, 2025, also for allegedly “blocking the road.” In total, he has received two fines amounting to 10,000 GEL.
Formula journalist Nano Chakvetadze was fined 5,000 GEL. She is accused of “illegally blocking the road” on March 13, 2025. According to Formula, Nano Chakvetadze was on Rustaveli Avenue that day performing her professional duties.
On March 9, 2025, Formula TV journalist and talk show host Irakli Tabliashvili was fined for allegedly blocking the road during a protest. As he explains in his video blog, he was handed the fine while returning to Tbilisi from a country house with his wife and young child.
On February 11, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Beka Beridze, a representative of the online media outlet 64, 5,000 GEL. He is accused of “illegally blocking the road.” Beridze appealed the fine imposed by the Ministry, but the appeal was rejected. The decision is now being challenged in court.
On February 21, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Radio Liberty journalist Gela Bochikashvili 5,000 GEL for allegedly “blocking the road.” The journalist was performing his professional duties near the Parliament building, covering a protest. He was wearing a press vest and had proper press credentials.
On February 14, 2025, Publika journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili was fined for allegedly “blocking the road.” Footage published by the journalist shows that he was performing his professional duties, filming the events as they unfolded, and wearing a press badge. On June 6, the Ministry of Internal Affairs rejected the journalist’s appeal. He had submitted evidence confirming that he was carrying out his professional duties and covering the pro-European protest.
On February 17, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Studio Monitori journalist Nino Tsverava 5,000 GEL for allegedly “blocking the road.” The journalist submitted evidence to the Ministry showing that she was performing her professional duties at the protest. The fine was later revoked.
On February 17, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined another Studio Monitori journalist, Nino Shubitidze, 5,000 GEL for allegedly “illegally blocking the road.” After evidence was submitted to the Ministry, her fine was also revoked.
On February 17, 2025, while covering a protest, Radio Liberty journalist Giorgi Diasamidze was also accused of blocking the road. He was informed of this by the Ministry of Internal Affairs on February 21. The Ministry stated that he had been fined 5,000 GEL for allegedly “blocking the road” near the Parliament building.
On February 14, 2025, Tabula journalist Beka Jikurashvili was also accused of blocking the road while performing his professional duties. According to Tabula, Jikurashvili was wearing a press badge and was carrying out his work responsibilities.
On February 2, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Mtavari Arkhi TV journalist and host Natia Gogsadze. She is accused of blocking the road during a pro-European protest. According to information released by Mtavari Arkhi, Natia Gogsadze was informed about the fine over the phone. During the call, the exact amount of the fine was not specified.
On February 4, 2025, law enforcement authorities contacted Tabula journalist Nikoloz Chiraqadze and informed him that he had “violated traffic regulations” while on the capital’s central avenue on January 17, and would therefore have to undergo legal procedures. According to Tabula, the journalist was on Rustaveli Avenue performing his professional duties at the time.
April media photojournalist Vakho Kareli is being accused by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of “illegally blocking the road.” According to a Ministry representative, “it is an established fact” that Vakho Karel was present at Rustaveli Avenue on January 26. When the photojournalist responded that it was likely he was there because he is a journalist, the Ministry representative replied: “That’s something you need to prove — you must present the appropriate documentation, based on which the court will make a decision.”
Radio Liberty journalist Eka Kevanishvili is being accused by police of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue on January 22. On that day, Kevanishvili was filming a video with a cameraman. “She has already submitted documentation to the police confirming that she is indeed a Radio Liberty journalist and was carrying out an assignment from the editorial team that day. However, she has not yet received any notification on whether the legal proceedings against her have been terminated,” the Radio Liberty article states.
On January 4, 2025, Mtavari Arkhi journalist Aleksandre Sajaia was also accused of blocking the road while performing his professional duties.
Davit Kekenadze, a journalist for the international media corporation Euronews, was fined 5,000 GEL by Tbilisi City Court. Police accused him of blocking the road during a pro-European protest held on January 3.
Germane Salia, director of Poti-based Ninth Wave TV and co-chair of the Regional Broadcasters’ Alliance, was fined 1,000 GEL for driving during a protest march in Zugdidi. According to Salia, he was attending the march as a journalist to prepare coverage. Three days later, while driving from Poti to Zugdidi, he was stopped by patrol police and informed that his car had been listed as wanted in connection with the protest on December 13, 2024. Although he explained to police that he was performing his professional duties, the fine was still imposed.
On November 10, 2024, Radio Liberty journalist Salome Chaduneli was accused by police of “blocking the road” during a protest organized by the group Daitove.

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 Offenses, the fine for illegally blocking a roadway has been increased tenfold — from 500 GEL to 5,000 GEL.

Formula TV Journalist Fined for ‘Artificially Blocking the Road’

Irakli Tabliashvili, journalist and TV host for “Formula,” is accused of “artificially blocking the road” on February 24, 2025. He was fined 5,000 lari. The journalist appealed the fine, but he has not been informed about the review of his case or its outcome.

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.

‘Radio Tbilisi’ Journalist Fined for ‘Artificially Blocking the Road’

Merab Merkviladze, a journalist for “Radio Tbilisi,” was fined twice, totaling 10,000 lari. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses him of “artificially blocking the road” on March 18 and 19. The journalist appealed the fines, but the case has not yet been reviewed.

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.

VOA Journalist Fined for ‘Artificially Blocking the Road’

On March 25, 2025, Nino Dalakishvili, a correspondent for Voice of America in Georgia, was fined 5,000 GEL for blocking the road.

Like other journalists, Dalakishvili is accused of “artificially blocking the road” while performing her professional duties—reporting live from the area near the Parliament building.

Photographer Goga Chanadiri was fined for 5,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road”

On April 10, 2025, Judge Nino Enukidze fined photographer Goga Chanadiri 5,000 GEL for “artificially blocking the road.” Like other journalists, he is accused of blocking Rustaveli Avenue. At the time, Chanadiri was performing his professional duties.

Responding to the court’s decision on social media, Goga Chanadiri wrote that he had not missed this or nearly any other protest and had covered them in various ways. He considers the imposed fine to be unfair.

Grant to “Tabula” Blocked Under New Law

On June 11, 2025, it was announced that the online outlet Tabula would no longer be able to receive a £50,000 grant from the UK government, which it had won through a competitive selection process.

According to the outlet, the funding was intended to support public awareness around the upcoming municipal elections in Georgia. In its statement, Tabula explained that, in compliance with Georgia’s newly adopted “Law on Grants,” the UK government had reached out to the Georgian government to obtain formal approval for the grant. The response from the Georgian authorities indicated delays in the approval process, after which the UK government canceled the project.

The UK government also released a statement confirming the cancellation. It noted that the UK had made a good-faith effort to secure the Georgian government’s approval for several grant projects aimed at supporting civil society in voter education and election monitoring. However, “following discussions with the Georgian authorities, we were informed that the government’s resolution on the ‘grant approval procedure’ has not yet been finalized. As a result, there are currently no clear mechanisms or timelines for decision-making under this law. Unfortunately, due to this uncertainty, we are forced to cancel our planned grant proposals intended to support transparency and competitiveness in the upcoming municipal elections,” the statement said.

The controversial “Law on Grants” was amended by the ruling Georgian Dream party on April 16, 2025. Under the new regulations, donors must request approval from the Georgian government before issuing a grant. If a recipient accepts a grant without prior government approval, they face a fine equal to twice the amount of the grant received.

Journalists Summoned to Court Over Criticism of the Politicians on Social Media

On June 12, 2025, six journalists were summoned to Tbilisi City Court for expressing critical opinions about the politicians on social media. The journalists are Eka Mishveladze (TV Pirveli), Vika Bukia (TV Pirveli), Misha Mshvildadze (TV Formula), Dea Mamiseishvili (Mtavari Arkhi), Vakho Sanaia (TV Formula), and Nanuka Zhorzholiani (independent journalist). They were informed that they are being accused of “insulting Georgian Dream politicians” on Facebook.

Three of the six – Eka Mishveladze, Misha Mshvildadze, and Dea Mamiseishvili – were found guilty of administrative offenses by the court and fined. Mishvildadze and Mishveladze were each fined 4,000 GEL, while Mamiseishvili was fined 3,000 GEL.

Misha Mshvildadze was fined for a February 8 post about Georgian Dream parliamentary speaker Shalva Papuashvili. Dea Mamiseishvili received her fine for a February 25 post referencing Mamuka Mdinaradze, the party’s executive secretary. Eka Mishveladze was fined for a May 31 status about MP Mariam Lashkhi.

Nanuka Zhorzholiani is accused of “insulting” Georgian Dream MPs Tea Tsulukiani and Mariam Lashkhi. A decision in her case is expected on June 17. Vika Bukia is also being sued for allegedly insulting MP Mariam Lashkhi in a video she posted on May 13. Her case has been postponed until June 18. Vakho Sanaia’s case has also been postponed to June 18. He is accused of insulting Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and MPs Tea Tsulukiani and Irakli Zarkua. On June 20 it became known that Sanaia was fined 4,000 GEL.

In all six cases, the legal basis for the complaints is a newly enacted article 173^16 of the Administrative Offenses Code. This provision imposes liability for actions such as verbal insults, swearing, offensive slurs, or other abusive behavior directed at state-political officials, public servants, or equivalent individuals during or in connection with the performance of their official duties. Penalties range from a fine of 1,500 to 4,000 GEL or up to 45 days of imprisonment.

According to the Georgian Young Lawyers Association, posts published on social media, unless they contain a threat of real risk and are directed at politicians who have a high duty of tolerance, are protected by freedom of expression. “Any judicial interpretation made contrary to this standard would be a precedent for mass censorship,” the organization’s statement reads.

Legislative Changes Threaten Media Freedom

On June 12, Parliament passed amendments to the “Law on Grants” in the third reading with 84 votes. The amendments broaden the definition of a grant to include technical and expert assistance, knowledge sharing, and other similar types of contributions.

This change follows an earlier amendment made in April, which requires the government or an authorized official to approve the receipt of foreign grants. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, describes this as a mechanism to protect state sovereignty. However, civil society groups argue that the changes are aimed at dismantling civil society itself.

For NGOs and the media, international grants are a key source of funding for independent work. These amendments are viewed as part of a broader legislative package targeting civil society and the media.

A new administrative offense case is being reviewed in Batumi City Court against Mzia Amaglobeli, related to the act of placing a sticker

On June 9, Batumi City Court will hear yet another administrative offense case against journalist Mzia Amaglobeli. According to information shared on May 7 by Amaglobeli’s legal representative, Nona Kurdovanidze, head of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has filed an additional charge against the journalist. This time, she is accused of “damaging the appearance of a building” — for posting a protest sign during a demonstration on January 11, a sign that was immediately removed after it was put up.

It’s worth noting that Amaglobeli was initially detained on the spot for this act under administrative procedure. However, it later became clear that simply posting the sign did not legally justify her detention, and she was released about an hour later. The Ministry of Internal Affairs subsequently amended the offense record to claim she had disobeyed a police order, in an effort to justify the arrest.

In that case, two levels of court found Amaglobeli guilty and imposed a fine of 2,000 GEL.

Now, despite a legal ruling already having been made on what is essentially the same action, Batumi City Court is reviewing the incident under a new legal classification. The case is being heard by Judge Mariam Fomaeva, who was appointed in December 2024 on a probationary basis.

Legislative Changes Increase Regulator’s Control Over Broadcasters

On June 12, 2025, the one-party parliament adopted a legislative package in its third reading, which introduced amendments to, among others, the Law on Broadcasting. Under these changes, the Communications Commission was granted the authority to request confidential information about broadcasters from banks through the court system. A new chapter was added to the Administrative Procedures Code Of Georgia to reflect this amendment.

According to the Media Advocacy Coalition, “There is absolutely no necessity to grant such powers to the regulator. Furthermore, the additional powers exceed the agency’s overall mandate. Granting the Commission the ability to breach banking confidentiality creates a new tool for financial pressure and blackmail against the media.”

Initially, the amendments to the Law “On Broadcasting” were adopted by the “Georgian Dream” parliament on April 1, 2025.

According to the amendments, foreign funding of broadcasters was completely banned, the authority of the regulatory body, the National Communications Commission, was significantly increased, in particular, the professional activities of journalists were brought under the scope of regulation.

According to the amendments, it is prohibited for a broadcaster to receive direct or indirect funding from the so-called “foreign power” and for a foreign power to purchase a broadcaster’s services, except for advertising or product placement.
According to the amendment, broadcasters are prohibited from receiving direct or indirect funding in exchange for placing social advertising.
The law considers the following as a foreign power: a) a subject constituting the government system of a foreign state; b) a natural person who is not a citizen of Georgia; c) a legal entity that is not established on the basis of Georgian legislation; d) An organizational unit or other type of association of persons established under the law of a foreign state and/or international law.

The amendment also introduces detailed regulations regarding standards for television and radio broadcasting, due accuracy of facts and the right to reply. Regulations are also added on the fairness and impartiality of facts, inviolability of private life, obtaining and transmitting information using covert methods, reporting on armed conflict, accidents and other emergency situations, and certain issues related to the protection of minors.

Transparency International Georgia states that the law, among other laws adopted by the GD in the past year, pose a threat to the existence of independent media.

Together with this, the Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence, also known as the “Russian Law,” has been in effect in Georgia since 2024, which was adopted by the Georgian Dream last year despite widespread public opposition and international criticism. It aims to register non-governmental and media outlets as organizations representing the interests of a “foreign power” if 20% of their income comes from foreign organizations.