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.
“Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics” will not be able to monitor election-related coverage this year
The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics announced that, for the first time since 2012, it will not be able to monitor how media outlets cover election-related issues during the election period. In its statement, the Charter cited repressive legislation adopted by Georgian Dream as the reason.
Founder of “Batumelebi”/“Netgazeti” outlets, Mzia Amaglobeli, sentenced to 2 years in prison
Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of the Batumi City Court reclassified the charges against the founder of the online publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, and sentenced her to two years in prison.
Founder of Batumelebi/Netgazeti outlets, Mzia Amaglobeli, sentenced to 2 years in prison
Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of the Batumi City Court reclassified the charges against the founder of the online publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, and sentenced her to two years in prison.
The Revenue Service has imposed a lien on the bank accounts of Batumelebi
On July 21, 2025, it was announced that Georgia's Revenue Service had frozen the bank accounts of the media outlet Batumelebi. According to the organization, while the official reason given was debt, they believe the true intention is to shut down the media outlet.
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.
