Judge Tornike Kapanadze has dismissed the administrative offence case against Tabula journalist Mariam Kuprava, who had been accused of “artificially blocking the road” while covering the weekly protest, the “Saturday March.” Kuprava had faced up to 15 days of administrative detention, even though video evidence presented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs showed that she was clearly identifiable as a journalist, wearing a press badge and a “PRESS” armband.
During the March 30 hearing, a representative of the Ministry of Internal Affairs argued that, because Kuprava was not actively filming or photographing at a given moment, she had ceased to act as a journalist and had instead become a protester. The representative requested additional time to submit longer video footage to support this claim.
On April 2, the Ministry presented extended video evidence but failed to demonstrate that Kuprava was not engaged in photo or video recording, as they had claimed. This was sufficient for the judge to conclude that she had been performing her journalistic duties.
Despite the favorable outcome, Mariam Kuprava maintains that journalism should not be narrowly defined as only filming or photographing. She emphasizes that it also includes observing events, gathering information, and speaking with people on the ground.
Two more administrative cases remain pending against journalists who were covering the protest.
The case against Mediachecker journalist Ninia Kakabadze, concerning the events of November 3, 2025, has already been heard, and a decision is expected on April 21. Meanwhile, the case against Netgazeti journalist Mariam Dzidzaria concerning January 31, 2026 has been postponed, with a new hearing date yet to be announced, after the Ministry of Internal Affairs failed to submit the necessary evidence.
