The practice of using seizures against activists continues

Civil activist Giorgi Akhobadze shared information on social media and published a photo, according to which the National Bureau of Enforcement notified him that his bank accounts had been placed under seizure. According to the document, the amount subject to seizure is 5,350 GEL.

The activist has not provided any further explanation; however, in light of existing practice, it is likely that the case concerns fines related to allegations of blocking a road. Recently, a number of similar cases have been documented, where activists had not been informed in advance about the fines and learned of them only after seizure measures were imposed on their bank accounts.In the same context, writer Beka Kurkhuli also wrote on social media: “Our ‘honourable government’ placed my bank account under seizure while I am in the combat zone in the Donetsk region, in the war in Ukraine. First, they fined me 35,000 GEL for standing in my own city, on my own Rustaveli Avenue, and for defending the children they mercilessly targeted and beat; then, as soon as they found out that I was at war, they imposed the seizure,” Kurkhuli wrote.

Civil activist Nino Svanidze reports seizure of assets due to non-payment of multiple fines

The civil activist, who is an active participant in the protest rallies, writes on social media that a postal courier delivered to her part of the seizure orders, which are related to the non-payment of fines imposed on her.

According to a statement she published on social media, a postal courier delivered several seizure orders to her, related to fines imposed on her. She reports that she received six such orders in one day, while the total number amounts to 21, each concerning a fine of 5,000 GEL. The activist indicates that the sanctions are likely linked to her participation in protest actions and allegations of blocking a roadway.

Bank accounts of three civil activists seized for non-payment of fines of which they had not been notified

On April 15, the bank accounts of three civil activists – Natia Megrelishvili, Natia Artmeladze, and Tamta Chkhaidze  were seized for non-payment of fines, of which none of them had been notified. The activists reported the seizure on social media.

Tamta Chkhaidze, the spouse of “prisoner of conscience” Giorgi Okmelashvili and an active participant in protests, has been fined a total of 25,000 GEL. In comments to Batumelebi, she stated that she does not intend to pay the fines and has appealed the seizure. Giorgi Okmelashvili, a participant in protests against the so-called “Russian law,” was sentenced on May 17, 2024 to 5 years of imprisonment on charges of insulting a police officer.

Under Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences, “artificial blocking of the road” constitutes a violation of the rules governing the organization and conduct of assemblies and demonstrations. Since February 7, 2025, the fine for “artificially blocking the road” has increased tenfold to 5,000 GEL. Hundreds of participants in pro-European protests have reportedly been issued such fines, with the cumulative amount reaching several million GEL. Where fines remain unpaid, enforcement measures include the seizure of bank accounts. Multiple such cases have already been documented.

Bank accounts of mother of “prisoner of conscience” Saba Skhvitaridze placed under seizure

The bank accounts of Elene Akhobadze, the mother of “prisoner of conscience” Saba Skhvitaridze, have been placed under seizure. The information was disclosed by Akhobadze herself via social media.  “Yesterday, on the Feast of the Annunciation, during Holy Week, this ‘religious’ government, without any prior notice, imposed a seizure on my accounts over a non-existent fine. I have not received any notification or fine,” she wrote.

Under Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences, “artificial blocking of the road” constitutes a violation of the rules governing the organization and conduct of assemblies and demonstrations. Since February 7 of last year, the fine for “artificially blocking the road” has increased tenfold to 5,000 GEL. Hundreds of participants in pro-European protests have reportedly been issued such fines, with the cumulative amount reaching several million GEL. Where fines remain unpaid, enforcement measures include the seizure of bank accounts. Multiple such cases have already been documented.

The National Bureau of Enforcement of Georgia reportedly imposed a seizure measure against a civic activist without prior notification

Civic activist Ana Ingorokva stated on social media that enforcement proceedings were initiated against activist Data Chachua, and a seizure was imposed without him having received prior information regarding the fine. According to the same source, upon seeking clarification, he was informed that he had been administratively fined in March 2025 for blocking a road. The amount of the fine is GEL 5,350.

Bank accounts of civil activist Natia Gabrava were subjected to seizure following a fine imposed for a social media post

According to civil activist Natia Gabrava, enforcement proceedings were initiated against her and her bank accounts were subjected to seizure due to a fine imposed in connection with a social media post concerning a senior official of the Patrol Police Department, Lasha Salukvadze.

According to the case materials, Gabrava referred to Salukvadze in an offensive manner on social media, following which Salukvadze filed a complaint with the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The case was examined under Article 173(2) of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concerns verbal insult of a law enforcement officer. In November, 2025 Judge Tornike Kochkian of the Tbilisi City Court imposed a fine of GEL 5,000 on Gabrava.

Due to non-payment of the fine, enforcement proceedings were initiated, and the National Bureau of Enforcement imposed seizure on Gabrava’s bank accounts. According to Gabrava, the total amount subject to seizure is GEL 5,350. She further stated that the seized funds included money collected to support the family of a detainee.Gabrava later wrote on social media that the required amount was raised through public support.

The Prosecutor’s Office seeks the extension of seizure measures on charitable foundations

Journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani wrote on social media that she had received a court ruling according to which Prosecutor Ani Khubejishvili requested the extension of seizure measures imposed on charitable foundations.

The case concerns bank accounts that were frozen by a court ruling in March 2025, upon the request of the Prosecutor’s Office, affecting several charitable and non-governmental organisations, including the “Nanuka’s Fund”. According to the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia, the seizure measures were imposed within the framework of an ongoing investigation classified as sabotage and assistance to hostile activities, initiated on the basis of a complaint filed by the movement “United Neutral Georgia”, founded by Vato Shakarishvili. The movement was established on 10 July 2024, and its statements are frequently disseminated by media outlets affiliated with the authorities. The organisation is considered to be affiliated with “Georgian Dream” and often reiterates its messaging.“Nanuka’s Fund” is a charitable organisation established in 2020, which has provided assistance to socially vulnerable individuals, persons with serious medical conditions, and, during November–December 2024, was actively involved in humanitarian and social support activities related to pro-European protests.

The National Bureau of Enforcement imposed a seizure measure against a civil activist without prior notification

Keti Kherashvili, a civil activist and the sister of prisoner of conscience Irakli Kherashvili, wrote on social media that she had been contacted by the National Bureau of Enforcement of Georgia and informed that she had been fined GEL 5,000 on the basis of information received from the Patrol Police Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. According to her, she had not previously been aware of the existence of this fine and, accordingly, had not paid it. She further stated that this is not the only fine imposed on her in connection with her participation in protests.

Subsequently, Keti Kherashvili wrote on social media that enforcement proceedings had been initiated against her and that the Bureau had applied a seizure measure. According to her, the case reached the enforcement stage and the proceedings were conducted without her having been informed of the existence of the fine.

Bank Accounts of Activist Mariam Tsomaia Subject to Seizure Measures Due to Non-Payment of Administrative Fine

On 6 February 2026, civil activist Lasha Janjgava disseminated information via social media indicating that the bank accounts of activist Mariam Tsomaia had been subject to seizure measures due to the non-payment of an administrative fine. According to documents attached to the post, on 5 September 2025, Judge Lela Tsagareishvili of the Tbilisi City Court found Tsomaia liable under Article 166(1) (minor hooliganism) and Article 173(1) (non-compliance with a lawful order of a law enforcement officer) of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia, and imposed an administrative fine of GEL 2,500.

According to the information shared by Janjgava, the decision was not served on Tsomaia following her administrative detention, and she reportedly became aware of the enforcement measure only after her bank accounts had been seized.

Mariam Tsomaia was detained by police on 2 September 2025 on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, along with eighteen other demonstrators. On that date, the Parliament of Georgia was hearing a report prepared by the Temporary Investigative Commission established under the leadership of Georgian Dream member Tea Tsulukiani. The commission examined the activities of political office-holders and current or former officials affiliated with the United National Movement during the period 2003–2012. According to available information, citizens initially gathered near the Parliament building and subsequently on Rustaveli Avenue to protest the findings of the commission.

Enforcement Seizure Imposed on Bank Accounts of Freedom Fund Founder and Civic Activist Davit Jincharadze

The bank accounts of Davit Jincharadze, founder of the Freedom Fund, political technologies researcher, and civic activist, have been subject to seizure. He received notification of the enforcement measure on 20 January from the Bank of Georgia. In an interview with the outlet Batumelebi, Davit Jincharadze stated that the administrative offense report imposing the fine was not served on him, and that he became aware of the existence of the fine only while crossing the state border. According to him, information regarding the fine cannot be found on either protocol.ge or police.ge. As he was informed at the border, a fine was issued in his name on 5 September 2025. “There was a protest on Melikishvili Avenue, where I was using a megaphone,” he stated.

Davit Jincharadze founded the Freedom Fund to support participants of pro-European protests and political prisoners. The Fund operates a foreign bank account. He stated that he had also used bank accounts in Georgia to assist protest participants; however, due to the risk of enforcement seizure, he refrained from holding significant sums in those accounts.