Ministry of Internal Affairs Accuses Photographer Giorgi Tarkhnishvili of “Blocking the Road” While Performing Professional Duties
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is accusing photographer Giorgi Tarkhnishvili of obstructing pedestrians by standing on the sidewalk while performing his professional duties. The case pertains to a protest on December 18, 2025, where the photographer was working on assignment.
Law Enforcement Accuses Netgazeti Journalist of “Blocking the Road” While Performing Professional Duties
The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is accusing Mariam Dzidziaria, a journalist for the online publication Netgazeti, of "blocking the road" on Rustaveli Avenue. The charges stem from the "Saturday March" rally held on January 31, 2026, where Dzidziaria was performing her professional duties. According to Netgazeti, while covering the protest, Mariam was wearing a press badge and a "PRESS" armband, and was carrying a camera.
Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Verbal insult
Tbilisi Mayor Addresses TV Pirveli Journalist with Insulting Language
On March 6, 2026, the Mayor of Tbilisi, Kakha Kaladze, addressed TV Pirveli journalist Lika Jankharashvili in an insulting manner. "Get prepared; don't come here so unprepared. I’m giving you a 'two' [a failing grade]," Kaladze replied to the journalist, who was attempting to get an answer to a question regarding what "Georgian Dream" has done to improve relations with the United States.
Persecution for expressing critical position | Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Censorship
“Georgian Dream” Passes Legislative Amendments Regarding Foreign Funding and “Non-Recognition of Government” in Final Reading
On January 28 and February 16, 2026, "Georgian Dream" initiated a package of legislative amendments concerning the Law on Grants, the Criminal Code, the Code of Administrative Offenses, and the Law on Political Associations of Citizens. On March 4, during a plenary session, "Georgian Dream" passed these changes in the third and final reading.
Persecution for expressing critical position | Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Legal incident→Legal persecution
Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Appeal of Mzia Amaghlobeli, Founder of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti”
On March 4, 2026, it was revealed that the Supreme Court of Georgia refused to hear the appeal of the imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder and director of the publications Batumelebi and Netgazeti. The court's refusal to accept the appeal for consideration, or declaring it inadmissible, means that the court will not review the merits of the case at all and leaves the Court of Appeals' decision in force. With this step, the judicial review of Mzia Amaghlobeli's case in Georgia has concluded across all court instances.
Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
Pro-Government Channels “Imedi,” “Rustavi 2,” and “POSTV” Discredit and Stigmatize Independent Online Media
Pro-government television stations—Imedi, Rustavi 2, and POSTV—are labeling independent online publications Netgazeti, Publika, and On.ge as anti-Georgian media, discrediting and stigmatizing them because these outlets refer to high-ranking officials as the "Georgian Dream" Prime Minister and Minister.
Persecution based on professional grounds | Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
“Georgian Dream” Propagandist and Director of Pro-Government “POSTV” Shalva Ramishvili Attempts to Discredit Journalist Keti Tutberidze
"Georgian Dream" propagandist Shalva Ramishvili, the director of the pro-government and British-sanctioned channel POSTV, addressed Formula TV journalist Keti Tutberidze with a sexist epithet in an attempt to humiliate her.
Interference with professional duties | Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Interference→Prohibition on filming | Prohibition on filming
High Council of Justice Leaves Requests for Courtroom Filming Without Response
Following the amendments passed in June 2025, which prohibited the media from taking photos, filming videos, or making audio recordings inside court buildings and courtyards, journalists have repeatedly applied to the High Council of Justice for filming permits, but to no avail. According to the law, the High Council of Justice is the body authorized to grant such permissions.
An official | Chair of the Parliament of Georgia | Chair of the Parliament of Georgia
Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Verbal attack→Discrediting
Shalva Papuashvili Spread Manipulative Information About Mzia Amaghlobeli
On February 21, 2026, during a debate broadcast on the pro-government TV company “Imedi,” Shalva Papuashvili made a manipulative statement regarding the sentence of Mzia Amaghlobeli. He compared the journalist’s verdict to the sentence of a person convicted for slapping French President Emmanuel Macron.
