Tbilisi

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.

The court hearing for this case was held on March 6, 2026. Judge Davit Makaradze of the Administrative Cases Panel of the Tbilisi City Court examined the evidence but deferred the announcement of the verdict.

“We presented documents proving he is a journalist, as well as the badges he was wearing. Even his hat is marked ‘PRESS,’ and he is holding a large camera. All of this proves he was fulfilling his professional duties, and the video presented by the MIA clearly shows him taking photos or videos,” Tarkhnishvili’s lawyer, Giorgi Tabatadze, stated in an interview with MediaChecker.

On March 6, it also became known that administrative proceedings on the same charges had been initiated against another media representative. The MIA is similarly accusing Tabula journalist Mariam Kuprava of “blocking the road” while performing her professional duties.

According to a statement from the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics, the MIA’s stance toward journalists covering protests raises a well-founded suspicion that the true goal of law enforcement is to intimidate them and force them to stop informing the public about protest activities. “Systemic pressure on journalists and the media violates the public’s right to be informed and harms the country’s interests,” the Charter’s statement reads.

Under the repressive legislative amendments passed by “Georgian Dream,” blocking a roadway has become a punishable offense. This is prohibited under Article 174-prime, Part 10 of the Administrative Offenses Code. Later, standing on the sidewalk was integrated into this same article, leading to the prosecution of protesters as well.

Violating this article carries a penalty of up to 15 days of administrative detention (up to 20 days for organizers). Administrative detention does not apply to pregnant women, mothers with children under 12, minors, or persons with severe or significant disabilities. Instead, they are subject to a fine of 5,000 GEL, or 15,000 GEL if they are identified as an organizer. A repeat of the same “offense” leads to criminal liability.

Since October 26, 2024, approximately 40 citations have been issued to journalists on charges of “blocking the road.”

Ministry of Internal Affairs Accuses Tabula Journalist of “Blocking the Road” While Performing Professional Duties

The Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has accused Mariam Kuprava, a journalist for the online publication Tabula, of “blocking the road” on Rustaveli Avenue. The accusation stems from a protest on February 7, 2026, while Kuprava was performing her journalistic duties covering the “Saturday March.” In an official report filed on February 9, the MIA claims that “Mariam Kuprava artificially blocked the motorable part of the roadway.”

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics issued a statement arguing that the Ministry’s stance toward journalists covering protests raises serious suspicions. They suggest the true objective of law enforcement is to intimidate and force journalists to stop informing the public about protest sentiments: “Systemic pressure on journalists and the media violates the public’s right to be informed and damages the country’s interests,” the Charter stated.

Under repressive legislative amendments passed by “Georgian Dream,” blocking a roadway has become a punishable offense under Article 174-prime, Part 10 of the Administrative Offenses Code. Later, standing on the sidewalk was also integrated into this same article, leading to the prosecution of protesters as well. Violation of this article carries a penalty of up to 15 days of administrative detention (up to 20 days for organizers). Administrative detention is not applied to pregnant women, mothers with children under 12, minors, or persons with severe or significant disabilities; instead, they face a fine of 5,000 GEL, or 15,000 GEL if identified as an organizer. Repeatedly committing the same “offense” leads to criminal liability.

Since October 26, 2024, approximately 40 citations have been issued to journalists on charges of blocking the road.

Update:

On April 2, Judge Tornike Kapanadze of the Administrative Cases Panel of the Tbilisi City Court dismissed the “road blocking” case against Mariam Kuprava. According to her lawyer, Nika Simonishvili, even the footage submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs clearly showed the Tabula journalist wearing press identification and performing her professional duties on-site.

Communications Commission Announces Practical Enforcement of Norms Established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters

The Communications Commission has announced that starting next week—March 9—it will begin the practical enforcement of the norms established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters and will initiate monitoring of broadcasters.

The initiative to activate monitoring of the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters and the Law on Broadcasting was adopted by ComCom shortly after the United Kingdom sanctioned the government-affiliated propaganda outlets Imedi and POSTV. The agency considers that the sanctioning of these television stations is “aimed both at restricting fair competition among mass media outlets and hindering the professional activities of journalists, which could pose a threat to media pluralism and freedom of speech in the country.”

The Communications Commission cites the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters, stating that these acts mandate the Commission to ensure the protection of objectivity standards in the media. According to their statement, despite the existence of the law, for nearly a year the Commission has only responded to complaints and has not initiated administrative proceedings against broadcasters on its own under this law.

“Given the above and based on the analysis of the challenges in the media environment, we consider it necessary for the Commission to bring into practice the norms established by the Law on Broadcasting and the Code of Conduct for Broadcasters starting next week. This is to ensure that the objectivity of broadcasters is assessed based on proper procedures and high legal standards,” the statement reads.

Last year, “Georgian Dream” passed repressive amendments to the Law on Broadcasting. These changes relate to the regulation of broadcaster content. According to the amendments:

The expression of opinion is restricted in news programs as well as during the coverage of other public policy issues (excluding author programs);
A person against whom accusations have been made in a program must be given the opportunity to provide a timely and proper response. The response must be covered fairly and accurately;
The law defines all instances in which obtaining and/or transmitting information using undercover methods is justified; additionally, a standard for undercover recording on private property was established.

The Media Advocacy Coalition has responded to the statement released by the Communications Commission, believing that it contains clear signals regarding potential pressure and threats against independent media. “It is particularly problematic that the Commission, which by law should be an independent regulator and a guarantor of media freedom, creates the impression with its own statement that it is ready to use regulatory mechanisms as an instrument for evaluating and controlling the editorial activities of the media,” the statement says.

The Charter of Journalistic Ethics urges the National Communications Commission to refrain from evaluating content-related issues that fall within the scope of editorial independence and which, according to Georgian tradition and international practice, are subjects of self-regulation. Any other approach, even if based on the recent controversial changes to the Law on Broadcasting, will be viewed by the journalistic community as an attempt to impose censorship and a gross interference in the editorial independence of broadcasters.

Criminal Prosecution Initiated Against Civic Activist Giorgi Tsulaia for Standing on a Sidewalk

Tbilisi City Court Judge Davit Makaradze remitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs the case of civic activist and United National Movement member Giorgi Tsulaia, who had been accused of obstructing movement due to protesting on a sidewalk. The judge identified indicia of a criminal offense in Giorgi Tsulaia’s case, as the activist had previously been subjected to detention for blocking a roadway (on 22 October 2025, he was sentenced to eight days of detention).

The Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated new proceedings against Giorgi Tsulaia on 17 December 2025 in connection with his participation in a protest held on that date. On the same day, the Ministry initiated proceedings against more than 20 individuals, including doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili, whose case was likewise remitted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Since Georgian Dream adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting freedom of assembly on 12 December 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has been initiating proceedings against protest participants with “obstructing citizens’ movement” for protests carried out on sidewalks, which the amended legislation in fact banned. Under the amended legal framework, a first offense is punishable by administrative detention of up to 15 days (up to 20 days for organizers), while a repeated offense may entail criminal liability.

Criminal Prosecution Initiated Against Civic Activist Vazha Gaprindashvili for Standing on a Sidewalk

Civic activist and doctor Vazha Gaprindashvili is facing the threat of criminal prosecution for standing on a sidewalk. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accuses him of “obstructing citizens’ movement” in connection with the protest held on 22 December 2025.

On 8 January, an administrative hearing was held in this case, after which Judge Tornike Kapanadze referred the case to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, citing the presence of elements of a criminal offense. Vazha Gaprindashvili has previously been identified as an administrative offender on the grounds of allegedly “blocking a roadway.”The Ministry of Internal Affairs has been bringing charges of “obstructing citizens’ movement” against protest participants for expressions of protest carried out on sidewalks since Georgian Dream adopted another repressive legislative amendment restricting freedom of assembly on 12 December 2025, which effectively banned protests even on sidewalks. Under the legislation, a first offense is punishable by administrative detention of up to 15 days (up to 20 days for organizers), while a repeated offense may result in criminal liability.

Former owner of TV company “Imedi,” Irakli Rukhadze, verbally insults a Formula journalist

On March 20, after leaving the courtyard of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Irakli Rukhadze verbally insulted a journalist from the TV company “Formula.”

The journalist was asking Rukhadze about the sale of shares in the TV company “Imedi.” Irakli Rukhadze asked the journalist which television company they represented. After learning that the journalist was a representative of “Formula,” he verbally insulted them and ran away.

“Come on, get out of here,” Irakli Rukhadze told the “Formula” journalist, which can be clearly heard in a video released by the television company.

On February 24, 2026, four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on pro-government TV companies “Imedi” and “POSTV” for spreading disinformation against Ukraine.

It is noteworthy that a few weeks before the sanctions, on January 30, the full share of the TV company “Imedi” was sold for a symbolic price of 1,000 GEL by a company linked to businessman Irakli Rukhadze. The day after the sanctions were imposed, he also stepped down from the position of chairman of the supervisory board of “Imedi.”

“Georgian Dream” Supporter and Filmmaker Goga Khaindrava Sues Formula TV

On March 19, filmmaker and “Georgian Dream” supporter Goga Khaindrava filed a lawsuit against Formula TV, seeking 10,000 GEL in compensation for moral damages. The lawsuit also demands a retraction of information aired on “Shabatis Formula” (Saturday Formula), which he claims contained “essentially false facts that defame the plaintiff’s name, honor, and dignity.”

According to MediaChecker, the lawsuit concerns two segments aired on Formula TV on December 20, 2025, and January 17, 2026. The December 20 report, titled “From Apology to Forgiveness: The Dream’s Chief Ideologist’s Film – Why is Goga Khaindrava Being Paid a Million,” focuses on fraudulent call centers. According to Formula TV, Khaindrava is behind the fraudulent scheme. The January 17 segment, “The Director Turned Dream Propagandist – Did Goga Khaindrava Bring Foreign Citizens into Georgia in Exchange for Money,” concerns the alleged entry of Indian and Pakistani citizens into Georgia facilitated by Khaindrava for payment.

Goga Khaindrava has labeled both reports as false and defamatory.

Notably, after the segments about Khaindrava were aired, the program’s host, Davit Kashiashvili, received a threatening message from an unidentified individual.

“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.

The incident occurred when the journalist approached him to ask questions regarding the British sanctions. In response to Tutberidze’s remark that she was not satisfied with his answer to a specific question, the propagandist mockingly addressed her and repeatedly called her “unsatisfied” (daukmaqobilebeli), despite the journalist ethically pointing out the lewd connotations of the word.

On February 24, 2026, four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Great Britain imposed sanctions on the pro-government television stations Imedi and POSTV for spreading disinformation against Ukraine. The sanctions were announced as part of a broad package released by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Office.

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.

All three channels published nearly identical text on social media, accompanied by a short screenshot of a text prepared by these online media outlets regarding the visit of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to Georgia.

“So-called online media outlets funded by foreign countries refer to Nikol Pashinyan as Prime Minister, while referring to Irakli Kobakhidze and Maka Bochorishvili as the ‘Georgian Dream’ Prime Minister and Minister,” states Rustavi 2, referring to the online outlets as “so-called” media. POSTV also places the term online media in quotation marks: “The anti-Georgian policy of ‘online media’ funded from abroad: publications refer to Nikol Pashinyan as the Prime Minister of Armenia, while referring to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Georgia as the ‘Georgian Dream’ Prime Minister and Minister.” Imedi goes even further, calling these publications tools of hybrid warfare: “Another anti-Georgian act by the anti-Georgian online ‘media’ in Georgia—all three tools of hybrid warfare refer to Nikol Pashinyan as the Armenian Prime Minister, while referring to Irakli Kobakhidze and Maka Bochorishvili as the ‘Georgian Dream’ Prime Minister and Minister.”

Notably, all three channels published this visual material almost simultaneously on the same day that “Georgian Dream” passed the law in its third and final reading, which made the “systemic non-recognition of Georgian Dream” a criminal offense.

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.

Mzia Amaghlobeli was arrested twice during the protest rally in Batumi on the night of January 11-12, 2025. She was initially detained for placing a protest sticker on the wall of an auxiliary storage room at the Batumi Police Department, which read: “Georgia is Striking.” Police officers removed the sticker immediately after it was posted. A few hours after her arrest, Mzia Amaghlobeli was released on her own recognizance, but she was soon arrested again for slapping the head of the Batumi Police, Irakli Dgebuadze. An investigation was launched against the journalist under the first part of Article 353-prime of the Criminal Code. Mzia Amaghlobeli had been placed in pretrial detention as a preventative measure. On August 6, 2025, Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of the Batumi City Court reclassified the charges against Mzia Amaghlobeli under the first part of Article 353 and sentenced her to two years in prison.