Judge Zviad Tsekvava of the Tbilisi City Court found civil activist Nuca Makharadze, who was detained on 14 January 2026 during a demonstration held near the Embassy of Iran in Tbilisi, liable for administrative offences and imposed a fine of 4,500 GEL. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia (MIA) alleged that the activist had failed to comply with a lawful order of a police officer (Article 173(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences) and had verbally insulted a police officer (Article 173(2)).
These provisions of the Code of Administrative Offences provide for a fine ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period of up to 60 days. The repeated commission of the same offences entails a fine ranging from 3,500 to 6,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period ranging from 7 to 60 days.
On 14 January, a demonstration in solidarity with the Iranian people took place near the Iranian Embassy in Tbilisi. According to Radio Liberty, prior to Makharadze’s detention, demonstrators were expressing their protest by crossing the road from one side to the other when the traffic light turned green at the intersection near the embassy. Subsequently, as explained by the police, the traffic light “malfunctioned,” and Makharadze began crossing the road at that moment.
The first hearing in Makharadze’s case was held on 16 January. During the hearing, she reportedly felt unwell. Makharadze also raised allegations of ill-treatment while being held in a temporary detention facility.
On 5 February 2026, dozens of individuals participating in pro-European protests reported receiving notifications that their bank accounts had been subject to seizure measures. According to available information, the enforcement action was linked to the non-payment of administrative fines. Several individuals indicated via social media that they had not previously been informed of the fines. Following inquiries with the National Bureau of Enforcement, they learned that the sanctions related to alleged violations recorded in 2025, specifically for the “artificial blocking of a roadway” during protest demonstrations.
Information regarding the seizure of bank accounts was publicly shared by at least twenty citizens on social media. The individuals include:
- Achi Gochitashvili
- Mariam Paichadze
- Beka Berikashvili
- Giorgi Melitauri
- Mari Lortkipanidze
- Misha Samkharadze
- Tatia Mekvabishvili
- Lasha Dgebuadze
- Tika Pataraia
- Davit Gogicha
- Saba Japaridze
- Sandro Liparteliani
- Mariam Gvinianidze
- Sandro Tughushi
- Nukri Albutashvili
- Elene Berikashvili
- Keti Kantaria
- Mariko Tsomaia
- Nino Ramishvili
- Lasha Bakradze
Under Article 174¹ of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia, the “artificial blocking of a roadway” constitutes a violation of the rules governing the organisation and conduct of assemblies and demonstrations. As of 7 February of the previous year, the administrative fine for this offence was increased to GEL 5,000.Available information suggests that administrative fines of this nature have been imposed on a significant number of participants in pro-European protests.
Judge Manuchar Tsatsua of the Tbilisi City Court imposed an administrative fine of GEL 4,000 on civil activist Nata Peradze in connection with a social media post concerning Georgian Dream Member of Parliament Nino Tsilosani. The administrative proceedings were initiated following a complaint filed by MP Tsilosani regarding a Facebook status published by Peradze. Peradze was found liable under Article 173(16) of the Code of Administrative Offences of Georgia, which establishes liability for the verbal insult of a state-political office-holder or public official, including the use of abusive language, offensive harassment, and/or other insulting actions. The provision provides for sanctions ranging from a fine of GEL 1,500 to GEL 4,000 or administrative detention for up to 45 days.
This is not an isolated case, as courts have previously imposed sanctions on individuals in connection with social media posts. On 27 January, Judge Pati Purtkhvanidze of the Zugdidi District Court similarly found Tako Gvilia, a participant in pro-European protest rallies, liable for an administrative offence and imposed a fine of GEL 4,000 in connection with a Facebook post concerning a police officer.
The practice of initiating court proceedings against citizens on the basis of posts published on social media commenced after the “Georgian Dream” party adopted, in June 2025 and under an expedited legislative procedure, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression. The amendments primarily concerned the regulation of defamation. In particular, the statutory definition of defamation was revised by removing the element of harm, which had previously constituted an essential prerequisite for qualifying a statement as defamatory. Shortly after the amendments entered into force, six journalists were subjected to administrative fines for opinions expressed on social media. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association assessed these amendments as constituting an “unjustified restriction on freedom of expression, creating a chilling effect and aimed at instilling fear within society in order to deter individuals from critically evaluating the actions of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and its political representatives.”
Tako Gvilia, a resident of Zugdidi and a participant in pro-European protest actions, was found liable for an administrative offence and fined 4,000 GEL by Judge Pati Furtskhvanidze of the Zugdidi District Court in connection with a comment she published on Facebook about a police officer. The decision was rendered on 27 January.
On 14 January 2026, Tako Gvilia reported on social media that she had been served with an administrative offence report drawn up under Article 173(2) of the Code of Administrative Offences. According to the report, she had published a public post in which she allegedly verbally insulted police officer Nikoloz Thordia using obscene language, referring to him as “a pathetic Zugdidi policeman.” In his report, Officer Thordia stated that these expressions were “extremely offensive” to his dignity and professional activity.
Tako Gvilia is not the first activist against whom Nikoloz Thordia has filed a complaint. In December 2025, the Zugdidi Patrol Police officer also lodged a complaint against Mariam Sichinava, a member of the political party “Droa,” in relation to a word published on social media in the Megrelian language – “lodos” (meaning “fool”). At that time, Mariam Sichinava was fined 3,000 GEL.
The practice of initiating court proceedings against citizens on the basis of posts published on social media commenced after the “Georgian Dream” party adopted, in June 2025 and under an expedited legislative procedure, amendments to the Law of Georgia on Freedom of Speech and Expression. The amendments primarily concerned the regulation of defamation. In particular, the statutory definition of defamation was revised by removing the element of harm, which had previously constituted an essential prerequisite for qualifying a statement as defamatory. Shortly after the amendments entered into force, six journalists were subjected to administrative fines for opinions expressed on social media. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association assessed these amendments as constituting an “unjustified restriction on freedom of expression, creating a chilling effect and aimed at instilling fear within society in order to deter individuals from critically evaluating the actions of the ‘Georgian Dream’ party and its political representatives.”
Ruska Mchedlidze, a member of the political party “Akhali” and civic activist reported on social media that administrative proceedings have been initiated against her in connection with a comment posted on Facebook. As established, the complainant is Nino Jgharkava, a propagandist closely associated with the “Georgian Dream” party, who filed a complaint regarding a post written about her. In the post, Ruska Mchedlidze referred to Nino Jgharkava as a person allegedly engaged in an informal romantic relationship with the father of former Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili.
Administrative proceedings against Ruska Mchedlidze have been initiated under Article 166 of the Code of Administrative Offences (petty hooliganism — use of obscene language in a public space, insulting or offensive conduct toward citizens, or other similar actions that violate public order and/or disturb public peace). The cited provision provides for a sanction in the form of a fine ranging from 500 to 3,000 GEL or administrative detention for a period of up to 20 days. A court hearing in the case is scheduled for 28 January.
This is not the first instance in which a civil activist has faced legal action in connection with content published on social media. In early January, activist Tako Gvilia faced administrative proceedings following a complaint filed by an officer of the Zugdidi Patrol Police in relation to a post published on a social network.
The bank accounts of civic activist Elene Devidze, a participant in pro-European protests, have been subject to enforcement seizure. She disclosed this information via social media. In an interview with the outlet Publika, she stated that the enforcement measure was imposed in connection with an outstanding administrative fine.
According to available information, Elene Devidze was subjected to an administrative fine in the amount of GEL 5,000 on 10 August 2025 on the grounds of the alleged blocking of a roadway. The activist reports that she was not duly notified of the imposition of the fine, as her contact number was incorrectly recorded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the administrative offense report was not personally served on her. Elene Devidze has stated her intention to challenge the fine through legal remedies.
Elene Devidze is the sister of Mate Devidze, a convicted prisoner of conscience. Mate Devidze was detained on 19 November 2024 during a protest against the results of the parliamentary elections on charges of assault on a police officer and was subsequently sentenced to four years and six months of imprisonment~
