Legal incident

The Ministry of Internal Affairs Denies Appeal by Publika Journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili and Upholds Fine

On June 6, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) rejected the appeal of Publika journalist Basti Mgaloblishvili, which challenged a 5,000 GEL fine issued against him. The fine had been imposed for allegedly blocking Rustaveli Avenue.

The MIA fined Mgaloblishvili in February 2025. The journalist submitted evidence to the ministry showing he was performing his professional duties—reporting on a pro-European protest that began on the country’s main avenue in November 2024 and has continued uninterrupted to this day. Video footage recorded by Mgaloblishvili on the day the fine was issued confirms that he was carrying out journalistic work. Additionally, he was clearly wearing press identification in the footage. However, the MIA did not consider this sufficient to confirm his professional status.

In contrast, in another case, an MIA representative explained that journalist Mariam Kvashebaya was fined for blocking the road specifically because she was not wearing visible press credentials that would verify she was working in a professional capacity.

“MIA once again confirms that journalistic work on the street has become punishable. Against the backdrop of legislative and physical attacks on the media, this is a very dangerous precedent—where the Ministry decides where I can work, how I can work, and what qualifies as journalism and what does not. Sooner or later, MIA employees themselves will understand why undermining the media is dangerous,” wrote Basti Mgaloblishvili.

Since November 28, 2024, according to publicly available information, around 36 media representatives have been fined while carrying out their professional duties. Most of these cases are still under review. So far, the courts have found two journalists guilty of administrative violations and imposed fines on them.

Communications Commission to Review Georgian Dream’s Complaints Against TV Pirveli, Formula, and Mtavari Arkhi

On June 5, 2025, the Communications Commission accepted for consideration the complaints filed by “Georgian Dream” against TV Pirveli, Formula, and Mtavari Arkhi, and will review them substantively on June 19.

On June 2, TV channels Formula and TV Pirveli released a statement revealing that “Georgian Dream” had filed complaints against them with the National Communications Commission.

According to Formula, a representative of “Georgian Dream” is accusing the channel of violating provisions of the broadcasting law that the ruling party adopted on April 1. The party submitted the complaint to the Commission on June 1 — the day the Commission was granted the authority to sanction broadcasters.

“The complaint seeks to censor terms that emphasize the illegitimacy and political bias of Georgian Dream’s parliament, officials, or institutions,” Formula’s statement says.

“Georgian Dream” is suing Formula over the use of phrases such as: “prisoners of the regime,” “regime’s court,” “illegitimate parliament,” “so-called parliament,” and others.

According to TV Pirveli, a 14-page complaint has been filed against them at the National Communications Commission, listing words and terms used by the media in various news segments.

The amendments to the “Broadcasting Law” were passed by “Georgian Dream” on April 1, 2025. Under the new rules, the regulatory body—the National Communications Commission—was granted significantly expanded powers, and all foreign funding of broadcasters was fully banned.

The Media Advocacy Coalition responded to the situation with a statement: “The repressive legislation recently initiated and adopted by Georgian Dream deliberately restricts freedom of expression and the public’s access to alternative opinions and information,” the statement reads.

“Mtavari Arkhi” Cameraman, Illegally Detained by Police While Working, Found Guilty of an Offense

On February 10, 2025, Tbilisi City Court found Mtavari Arkhi cameraman Sergi Baramidze guilty of an offense and issued him a verbal warning — despite the fact that he had been assaulted by law enforcement while performing his professional duties.

Baramidze was violently detained on November 19 of the previous year while on assignment. He was later released after signing a written statement.

Following the incident, the Ministry of Internal Affairs filed an administrative offense report against the cameraman. According to the report, on November 19, Baramidze allegedly disrupted public order, used profanity, shouted insults without clear direction, interfered with the lawful detention of another individual, and refused to stop his actions despite multiple warnings. He was charged under Article 166 (petty hooliganism) and Article 173, Part 1 (disobedience to a lawful police order) of the Administrative Offenses Code.

At the hearing on February 10, the judge dropped the case under Article 166 (petty hooliganism) but found Baramidze guilty under Article 173 (interference with police) and issued a verbal reprimand.

Police Take Legal Action Against “Publika” Photojournalist Brutally Beaten While Covering Protest

On February 12, 2025, Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs filed a case against Publika journalist and photojournalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili. The ministry accuses him of violating Articles 166 and 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code, which relate to petty hooliganism and disobedience to police. The court hearing is scheduled for February 25 at 4:00 PM.

The alleged offense took place on November 19, 2024—the same day Keshelashvili himself became the target of police violence. He was arrested and brutally beaten while covering a pro-European protest in Tbilisi.

“I kept repeating that I was a journalist, but it seemed to have the opposite effect—they were already cursing me, and then added more abuse because I was from the media. They made me walk through a sort of ‘corridor’ where they beat me, mostly in the face,” Keshelashvili said.

He required medical treatment and underwent nasal surgery. Although the Special Investigation Service opened an inquiry into the assault, not a single law enforcement officer has been held accountable to date.

Netgazeti Journalist Nino Baidauri Fined 5,000 GEL by Ministry of Internal Affairs

On June 4, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs fined Nino Baidauri, a journalist for the online outlet Netgazeti, 5,000 GEL. She is accused of blocking Rustaveli Avenue on March 21.

The journalist shared the news on Facebook, posting a screenshot of a text message sent by the Ministry:

“You have been fined under Article 174^1, Part 5. Date: 21/03/2025. Location: Tbilisi, Rustaveli Avenue, near the Parliament building.”

According to publicly available sources, the Center for Media, Information and Social Research (CMIS) has been documenting cases of journalists being fined for blocking roads while covering pro-European protests since November 28, 2024. Nino Baidauri is the 37th journalist fined by the Ministry for this reason.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs Fined ‘Netgazeti’ Journalist Nino Baiduri 5,000 GEL

On June 4, 2025, Nino Baiduri, a journalist for the online publication Netgazeti, was fined 5,000 GEL by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She is accused of blocking Rustaveli Avenue on March 21.

The journalist wrote about the fine on the social media platform Facebook, attaching the short text message she received from the Ministry:

“You have been fined under Article 174, Paragraph 5. Date: 21/03/2025. Location: Tbilisi, Rustaveli Avenue, near the Parliament building.”

According to publicly available sources, the Media, Information, and Social Research Center (CMIS) has been documenting cases of journalists fined for blocking roads while covering pro-European protests, based on publicly accessible information, since November 28, 2024.

Netgazeti and Batumelebi Co-founder and Director Remains in Pretrial Custody

On March 4, 2025, Batumi City Court Judge Vasil Metreveli ruled to keep Netgazeti and Batumelebi co-founder and director Mzia Amaglobe in pre-trial detention. On that day, the court also began the substantive hearing of her case and reviewed the issue of revising the preventive measure.

Mzia Amaglobeli is being investigated under Article 353¹, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to attacks on police officers, special penitentiary staff, or other public officials or institutions. The charge carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison.

Amaglobeli was arrested twice during the night of January 11–12. She was initially detained for posting a sticker on a police building that read: “Georgia Goes on Strike.” She was released a few hours later on a written pledge. However, shortly after her release, she was re-arrested for allegedly slapping the police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze.

According to Netgazeti, the incident was preceded by a clash and crowding between demonstrators and police, triggered by provocative actions from the police.The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), which is representing Amaglobeli, stated that “Mzia Amaglobeli is not only being held unlawfully, but the Georgian judiciary has demonstratively stripped her of the right to defend herself and prove her innocence.”

Radio Liberty Producer Beka Beradze, Injured During Pro-European Protest, Receives Verbal Warning from Court

At a court hearing held on March 12, 2025, Radio Liberty producer Beka Beradze was issued a verbal warning by the court for disobeying police orders.

Beradze was detained on the night of December 1, 2024, during a pro-European protest in Tbilisi, on Ingorokva Street, along with several companions. He was taken to a temporary detention facility in Sagarejo and released 48 hours later without being charged. Visible injuries were observed on Beradze’s face, which, according to Radio Liberty reports, resulted from violence by riot police.

On March 12, 2025, police contacted Beradze to inform him that his court hearing was scheduled to take place within the hour. He was being charged with disobeying a police order. According to Beradze, he and his lawyer were given only one hour to review the case materials.

Formula TV Journalist Fined for Allegedly Blocking the Road

On March 17, 2025, Formula journalist Nano Chakvetadze was informed by police that she had been fined 5,000 GEL. She is accused of blocking the road on March 13. According to Formula, Chakvetadze was carrying out her professional duties on Rustaveli Avenue that day.

This is not the first time an independent media representative has been unlawfully fined while performing their journalistic work.

Publika Reporter Aleksandre Keshelashvili Receives Verbal Warning from Court

On March 17, 2025, Tbilisi City Court held a hearing in the case of Publika reporter Aleksandre Keshelashvili. He had been charged with disobeying police orders; the court issued him a verbal warning.

Keshelashvili was covering a pro-European protest on November 29 of the previous year when police used force to detain and physically assault him. That same night, he was hospitalized with multiple injuries and underwent emergency surgery; he had sustained fractures to his facial bones.

In December, the Publika reporter filed a complaint with the Special Investigation Service, requesting an investigation into the physical violence used against him while performing his professional duties. Despite being officially recognized as a victim in that case, the court still delivered a guilty verdict today and issued him a verbal warning for disobeying police orders.