Verbal insult

Six journalists injured near Tbilisi mayoral candidate, Kakha Kaladze’s, campaign headquarters

On September 8, 2025, while covering a rally outside the election headquarters of Georgian Dream’s Tbilisi mayoral candidate, Kakha Kaladze, party supporters and law enforcement officers assaulted journalists, verbally abused them, and confiscated mobile phones. One journalist required medical treatment.

According to the online outlet Publika two reporters, Aleksandre Keshelashvili and Keto Mikadze, were physically assaulted by Georgian Dream supporters while on assignment, and their mobile phones were seized. With the help of a Netgazeti journalist, they recovered only one device Keshelashvili’s phone [timecode: 1:14–1:20]. The outlet reports that it has video evidence showing who took the other phone and has called on that individual to return it, and on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to respond to the theft of editorial equipment and interference in journalistic work.

According to online Netgazeti, a police officer swore at its reporter Ketevan Khutsishvili, physically grabbed and dragged her, and interfered with her work while she was broadcasting live and filming the confrontation outside the headquarters, including the attack on the colleague – Aleksandre Keshelashvili. “They used rude and vulgar gestures to swear. Then a policeman came up to me, saying, ‘Don’t provoke me,’ grabbed me by the arms and dragged me. Then a second and a third came, and one of the policemen cursed me. After that, a man in a blue shirt came and also cursed me. Finally, they dragged me and threw me among the policemen, and one of them even grabbed my hand,” Khutsishvili says. [Video material, timecode: 0:30–2:32]

A Georgian Dream supporter poured a bottle of water over Mariam Nikuradze, OC Media’s founder and photojournalist, as she filmed police clearing protesters. “At that moment, one of the Georgian Dream supporters approached me and poured a whole bottle of water on my head in the presence of the police. The police didn’t say anything to him, I pushed him aside,” Nikuradze told MediaChecker.

An investigative journalist with Studio Monitor, Keti Tutberidze was also poured a bottle of water while she was performing her professional duties.

Hungarian journalist László Róbert Mézes suffered serious physical injuries after being assaulted by Georgian Dream supporters, who also attempted to seize his phone. He required medical attention.

The Media Advocacy Coalition condemned the incidents, stating that “attacks on independent media and impunity for perpetrators are part of Georgian Dream’s consistent policy,” and expressed solidarity with journalists “forced to perform their professional duties under a violent regime.”

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics “strongly condemns” the violence against journalists “against the backdrop of the criminal inaction and indifference of the police,” calling on the Ministry of Internal Affairs for an immediate response and on the Prosecutor’s Office to conduct an effective investigation.

Members of “Georgian Dream” and the police verbally and physically harassed journalists from “Publika”

On September 3, 2025, Beka Odisharia, a member of “Georgian Dream,” former MP, and candidate for Tbilisi City Council, verbally insulted “Publika” journalist Mindia Gabazde. Other members and supporters of “Georgian Dream” verbally and physically harassed and spat on the publication’s editor, Lika Zakashvili. The police, instead of protecting Zakashvili, interfered with her work by forcing her to stop filming through physical restraint.

The incidents occurred during the opening of the election campaign headquarters of “Georgian Dream” Tbilisi mayoral candidate Kakha Kaladze. The event took place against the backdrop of a protest, and journalists were attempting to cover the events.

Video footage recorded by “Publika” shows Beka Odisharia speaking insultingly to Mindia Gabazde after the journalist asked him a question. In the same episode, Odisharia also verbally abuses protest participants and other journalists present.

Lika Zakashvili became a target of “Georgian Dream” supporters when she tried to film their insulting actions toward activists. One person struck her and tried to take her mobile phone, then another approached from behind and spat on her. The footage shows that law enforcement did not intervene. On the contrary, in a subsequent clip, a police officer physically tried to stop Zakashvili from filming.

According to the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, “Impunity for crimes against journalists encourages perpetrators and drives them to commit more offenses.” The Charter calls on “Georgian Dream” to put an end to such practices, take responsibility, and ensure a safe working environment for journalists.

The Media Advocacy Coalition emphasized that this is not the first instance of violence against journalists by “Georgian Dream” supporters. “Under Bidzina Ivanishvili’s governance, we see systemic violence against independent media. Repressive legislation has been enacted against independent media. All of these incidents are part of a coordinated strategy aimed at suppressing independent media and critical voices in the country,” the coalition said.

UPDATE: Based on a complaint filed with the prosecutor’s office, on September 11, 2025, “Publika” editor-in-chief Lika Zakashvili was questioned. The prosecutor’s office opened a case based on Zakashvili’s statement.

A police officer in Gori obstructed journalist Giorgi Akhalkatsi in the course of his journalistic work

On July 29, 2025, Gori police officer Ioseb Gagnidze aggressively confronted journalist Giorgi Akhalkatsi, who was attempting to film ongoing investigative actions in Gori, and obstructed his work.

“Journalists, meet Gori police officer Ioseb Gagnidze, who told us: ‘If you don’t have your badge hanging around your neck, you are not journalists to me. I will interfere with your filming, call you liars, and if necessary, I won’t hesitate to use force,’” the journalist wrote on social media.

According to Giorgi Akhalkatsi, the officer became aggressive after noticing that the investigative actions were being conducted with procedural violations: the area was not cordoned off with protective tape, no lawyer was called, searches were conducted without the presence of outsiders, anyone could move freely in the area, and so on.

The Minister of Education insulted journalists in response to a critical question

On July 17, 2025, Givi Mikanadze, Minister of Education, Science, and Youth of the ruling Georgian Dream party, called journalists “ridiculous” and “pathetic” in response to a question about his doctoral degree.

“You’re very ridiculous, really very ridiculous — so pathetic. What diploma are you even talking about? Doctoral candidate… you can find that in any of my CVs. You’re truly ridiculous. Do you even realize how pathetic you are?” Mikanadze said.

When Mikanadze was nominated as minister, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze introduced him as a PhD from the University of Amsterdam. It was later revealed, however, that Mikanadze had not actually obtained the degree. Journalists were attempting to verify this information.

The Minister of Education insulted journalists in response to a critical question

On July 17, 2025, the Minister of Education, Science, and Youth from “Georgian Dream,” Givi Mikanadze, called journalists “ridiculous” and “powerless” in response to a question regarding his doctoral degree.

“You are very ridiculous, really very ridiculous, so powerless. What diploma are you talking about? PhD candidate… you can read this in any of my CVs. You are very ridiculous. Do you know how powerless you are?” — Mikanadze stated.

When he was appointed minister, Georgian Dream’s Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, referred to him as a doctor from the University of Amsterdam. It later emerged that Mikanadze does not actually hold the degree. Journalists were attempting to verify this information.

Crew of “TV Pirveli” Attacked and Equipment Seized

On May 12, 2025, in Kvemo Kartli, a journalist and a cameraman from TV Pirveli, who were investigating the resignation of former Deputy Governor Giorgi Shinjikashvili, were physically attacked by the former official’s father.

According to the journalist, Mariam Makasarashvili, Shinjikashvili’s father slapped her in the face and physically attacked the channel’s cameraman as well. At the same time, he seized the TV station’s camera and the journalist’s personal mobile phone, which were returned only after 40 minutes. As a result of the attack, the journalist suffered a concussion and required medical assistance.

The crew immediately called the police. According to the broadcaster, employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrived an hour and 20 minutes later. The Special Investigative Service has launched an investigation into the incident.

According to the Media Advocacy Coalition, the incident “once again clearly highlights the critical state of media freedom and safety in the country.”

The Prime Minister threatened to expel a journalist from the briefing for asking critical questions

On December 8, 2024, during a press conference at the Government Administration, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze used offensive language toward Telara Gelantia, a journalist and editor from “BMG,” for asking critical questions. He also threatened to expel her from the press conference.

Irakli Kobakhidze addressed Telara Gelantia with the following words: “I’ll expel you right now. Stop babbling, seriously. Don’t babble, or I’ll expel you if you keep it up.”

On November 28-29, During the coverage of the protests 40 members of the media were detained, injured, or obstructed in their professional work

On November 29, TV Formula’s journalist Guram Rogava was brutally assaulted by riot police while working live on air. The riot police struck him from behind, causing him to fall and sustain head and neck injuries. The footage shows the journalist lying on the ground, bleeding. He was later taken to a medical facility. Before this incident, Rogava had been obstructed by police while working live on air. In footage from that time, police can be seen forcibly removing the journalist from the area, covering the camera, and preventing the cameraman from filming.
During the November 29 protest, TV Formula’s journalist Giorgi Kvijinadze and cameraman Tedo Kachakhia were injured. Journalist Khatia Samkharadze was also sprayed with pepper spray.
On November 29, the equipment of TV Formula’s crew, covering the protest in Batumi, was damaged. Tamar Tediashvili mentioned this during a live broadcast.
On November 29, law enforcement officers arrested journalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili of the online outlet Publika while he was performing his professional duties. They confiscated his camera and assaulted him. He was later released on the condition of a written statement and taken to a medical facility for examination. “I kept saying I was a journalist, but it seems that had the opposite effect. They insulted me even more, and then added that I was a journalist. They escorted me through a kind of corridor where they hit me with their hands and feet, mostly in the face. They took my cameras, badge, and respirator. I was passed from one person to the next, with each one hitting me until I was taken from Chichinadze Street through the back of the Parliament grounds and up to 9 April Street, where they put handcuffs on me,” the journalist wrote on social media.

Publika’s journalist Natia Amiranashvili was obstructed by police while filming, and her phone was reportedly damaged during the incident.
Publika photographer Mindia Gabadze was injured by law enforcement officers while performing his professional duties.
Publika journalist Basti Mgablishvili was repeatedly obstructed during the protests and was struck several times.
TV Pirveli cameraman Niko Kokaia was deliberately sprayed in the face with pepper spray by special forces.
TV Pirveli cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli was physically assaulted by a special forces officer, who attacked him from behind.
TV Pirveli journalist Nanuka Kajaia and cameraman Davit Bichikashvili were also injured during the protests when special forces deliberately sprayed them with a water cannon.
TV Pirveli journalist Ana Mdivani was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance and required medical attention.
Reporters from Mtavari Arkhi, including journalist Dea Mamishvili and cameraman Giorgi Goginashvili, also became unwell due to the tear gas.
Mtavari Arkhi journalist Keta Tsitskishvili, along with fellow journalist Davit Kobidze and cameraman Luka Bachilava, was verbally abused and obstructed by the riot police.
According to Radio Free Europe, journalists Davit Koridze and Salome Chaduneli were physically assaulted during the protests.
Radio Free Europe cameramen Ilia Ratiani and Zuka Khidashvili were obstructed while carrying out their professional duties.
Radio Free Europe journalist Davit Tsagereli was punched and thrown to the ground by a riot officer.
Adjara TV journalist Nino Lorchoshvili lost consciousness while covering the protests, likely due to exposure to pepper spray used by special forces.
Netgazeti journalist Givi Avaliani was sprayed in the face with pepper spray by the riot police.
OC Media founder and photographer Mariam Nikuradze was hit with a water cannon, causing her to fall and damage her camera. She required medical help and later wrote on social media that the riot police had prevented her from filming: “The special forces threw my phone twice, forbidding us to film and insulting us journalists.”
JAMnews reporter Yulia Kalaban was hit by a police officer while attempting to film special forces setting up barricades on Rustaveli Avenue. She needed first aid.
The journalists of Studio Monitor Nino Tsverava and Nino Shubitidze, as well as cameraman Giorgi Baramidze, were obstructed during the protest. Nino Tsverava posted the footage of police violence on social media.
The riot Police physically assaulted Project 64 editor Giorgi Gogua, kicking him in the legs.
A journalist from the pro-governmental TV station Rustavi 2 was injured by a water cannon.
The journalist of Express News Irakli Managadze was kicked by a special forces officer.
April Media photographer Tbilisi Abuseridze was injured when photographing the protest action.
TOK TV journalist Filipe Tsereteli was injured by a gas capsule fired at him. He reported that tear gas capsules were deliberately thrown: “They released about 5 capsules. On Besiki Street, where we were, only journalists were present, around 5-7 people. No protesters were there at that time.”
The cameraman of the Georgian Public Broadcaster’s First Channel Davit Bejanishvili was injured while covering the protests.
Giorgi Chumburidze, a cameraman for Current Time/Radio Free Europe’s Russian news platform, was obstructed while carrying out his work.