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.