Informing the public about court proceedings is becoming increasingly difficult for the media
During the hearing on December 17 of the so-called “October 4 case,” involving 13 detained individuals, Tbilisi City Court Judge Tamar Makharoblidze stated in court, in response to television journalists’ request to briefly leave the courtroom for a live broadcast, that if the journalists left, they would not be allowed to return. According to her explanation, media representatives could cover the trial only after its conclusion. All 13 individuals are charged with group violence and attempting to seize or block a strategic facility—the President’s Palace.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
DiscreditingVerbal attack
“Imedi Weekly” segment against BBC’s investigation and independent media
On December 14, 2025, a segment aired on the TV program Imedi Weekly on the television company Imedi, accusing independent Georgian media and non-governmental organizations of advancing foreign countries’ interests and engaging in so-called “hybrid warfare.”
Repressive legislative amendments restricting the freedom of assembly
On December 12, 2025, “Georgian Dream” adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting the freedom of assembly, which was considered under an expedited procedure within three days. Since December 2024, “Georgian Dream” has amended the legislation regulating assemblies and demonstrations five times. Each time, the amendments have become increasingly repressive, aiming both to punish demonstrators and to intimidate them preventively.
Chair of the Parliament of Georgia | Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
DiscreditingVerbal attack
Shalva Papuashvili calls “Radio Liberty” “propagandists” created by the “Central Intelligence Agency”
On November 24, the Speaker of Parliament from “Georgian Dream,” Shalva Papuashvili, issued a statement against “Radio Liberty” and said that the media outlet was created by the “Central Intelligence Agency.” He also called the journalists “propagandists.”
Shalva Papuashvili is trying to discredit “Mtis Ambebi”
On November 24, the Speaker of Parliament from “Georgian Dream,” Shalva Papuashvili, accused the online media outlet “Mtis Ambebi” of hiding finances. He said that donors, by funding “Mtis Ambebi,” are financing xenophobia. This is how Shalva Papuashvili responded to a question from a pro-government television station about “Mtis Ambebi.” The journalist was asking Papuashvili about “Mtis Ambebi’s” coverage of the Eagle Hills project. Eagle Hills has been presented by the “Georgian Dream” government as an unprecedented, multimillion-dollar project.
The Prime Minister of “Georgian Dream,” Irakli Kobakhidze, is attempting to discredit and intimidate independent online media outlets
On November 24, the Prime Minister of Georgian Dream, Irakli Kobakhidze, stated that “associations funded from foreign countries are acting against the development of our country.”
Shalva Papuashvili is trying to discredit and intimidate “Sinatle Media”
The Speaker of Parliament from "Georgian Dream", Shalva Papuashvili, responded to a report aired on the pro-government TV channel Imedi targeting the association of independent online media outlets, Light Media, attempting to discredit and intimidate them.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Discrediting
Pro-government “Imedi” is attempting to discredit independent online media outlets
“Due to the segment prepared by ‘Imedi’ television, where Russian disinformation narratives and obvious lies deliberately fabricated by local propagandists are intertwined, we are submitting a joint statement to the self-regulatory body and demand a denial of the false information aired in the segment. We also demand live airtime to give us the opportunity to respond to these absurd accusations.”
Interference with professional duties | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Physical injuryPhysical injury
GYLA: Mzia Amaghlobeli’s eyesight problem is reaching an alarming level
According to the Young Lawyers’ Association of Georgia (GYLA), the eyesight condition of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti,” is at an alarming level. The organization notes that Mzia Amaghlobeli has not undergone the necessary examinations and, to date, has not received proper consultation from a doctor, which is essential for maintaining eyesight and planning treatment.
