Shalva Papuashvili Continues Attacks on Independent Outlet Netgazeti
On September 22, 2025, Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of Parliament from Georgian Dream, referred to the independent online outlet Netgazeti as propaganda media.
“Georgian Dream’s Tbilisi mayoral candidate, Kakha Kaladze, called journalists ‘abusers’ and verbally insulted them
On September 21, 2025, Kakha Kaladze, the incumbent mayor of Tbilisi and mayoral candidate from Georgian Dream, called journalists “abusers” and verbally insulted them.
“Radio Marneuli” became the target of censorship and threats from members of “Georgian Dream”
Individuals associated with the ruling party, “Georgian Dream,” demanded that Radio Marneuli delete information about one of the party’s candidates, threatening legal action in court if the demand was not met.
Georgian Dream Party | Law enforcement | სამართალდამცველი
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Attack on propertyDamage to equipmentInterferencePhysical injuryPhysical violenceProhibition on filmingSeizure or confiscation of equipmentVerbal attackVerbal insult
Six journalists injured near Tbilisi mayoral candidate, Kakha Kaladze’s, campaign headquarters
Azerbaijani student studying journalism at GIPA, living in Tbilisi, was denied entry to Georgia
On September 6, 2025, Azerbaijani student Javid Ahmedov, who lives and studies in Tbilisi, was denied entry into Georgia. The 26-year-old Ahmedov told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that authorities initially cited fines under “grounds for road closure” in his name, totaling 10,000 GEL (two fines), as the reason for the refusal. He was then informed that even if he paid this amount, he would still not be allowed into the country. Ultimately, the document he received at the border justifying the denial listed the reason as “other reasons.”
Heads of non-governmental organizations summoned for questioning
Leaders of prominent Georgian non-governmental organizations, including members of the Media Advocacy Coalition, have been summoned for questioning by the prosecutor’s office. The questioning is related to the so-called “mask case,” which the prosecutor’s office began investigating in February 2025 on charges of “sabotage, attempted sabotage under aggravating circumstances, and other similar crimes.” According to the organizations, the investigation is unfounded and aims to persecute, intimidate, and dismantle the civil sector.
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
InterferencePhysical violenceProhibition on filmingVerbal attackVerbal insult
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.
Public Broadcaster fires another “Real Space” employee
According to GPB Guardians, the Public Broadcaster’s First Channel has fired another employee of “Real Space,” Meri Shikhashvili. GPB Guardians reports that Shikhashvili was dismissed immediately upon returning from maternity leave.
