As in previous years, Western countries imposed sanctions in 2025 on dozens of Georgian Dream representatives and allies. Among those sanctioned were judges who, through their roles in the party’s repressive measures, presided over both criminal and administrative cases against protest participants.
In total, 47 judges have been sanctioned by Western countries in recent years. In 2025 alone, 44 of them were included on various countries’ sanction lists, with a few having already faced sanctions in 2023 and 2024.
Judges Sanctioned in 2025
1. Levan Murusidze — Judge of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal and member of the High Council of Justice; widely regarded as the leader of the judicial “clan.”
Sanctioned by the United Kingdom.
2. Mikheil Chinchaladze — Chair of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal, also seen as a leader of the judicial “clan.”
Sanctioned by the United Kingdom.
Mikheil Chinchaladze and Levan Murusidze
3. Nino Galustashvili — Judge who handed down convictions and prison sentences to 18 prisoners of conscience, including Andro Chichinadze, Jano Archaia, Guri Mirtskhulava, Onise Tskhadadze, Ruslan Sivakov, Luka Jabua, Sergei Kukharchuk, Gia Terishvili, Irakli Kherashvili, Rezo Kiknadze, Vako Tetrashvili (in the case of 11 defendants), as well as Mate Devidze, Dato Khomeriki, Temur Zasokhashvili, Dato Lomidze, Giorgi Mindadze, Anastasia Zinovkina, and Artiom Gribul.
She is currently presiding over the case of 61-year-old activist Zura Menteshashvili.
Sanctioned by Estonia, Czechia, and Lithuania.
4. Tamar Mchedlishvili — Judge who sentenced eight defendants (Tornike Goshadze, Nikoloz Javakhishvili, Irakli Miminoshvili, Giorgi Giorgadze, Insaf Aliyev, Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadelashvili) and Saba Jikia to prison. She also participated in the early stages of a case involving eleven defendants.
She acquitted Nikusha Katia and Tedo Abramov.
Mchedlishvili is currently presiding over the cases of Nino Datashvili and twelve defendants from the October 4 events (Abo Naveriani, Vakhtang Pitskhelauri, Guriel Kardava, Aleksandre Khabeishvili, Beka Kelekhsashvili, Nana Sanderi, Mamuka Labuchidze, Giorgi Muladze, Mariam Mekantsishvili, Avtandil Surmanidze, Anton Uperi, and Temur Kurtsikidze). She has been sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
5. Irakli Khuskivadze — Judge involved at the initial stage of the eight-defendant case (Tornike Goshadze, Nikoloz Javakhishvili, Irakli Miminoshvili, Giorgi Giorgadze, Insaf Aliyev, Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadelashvili), as well as in the cases of Anton Chechin and Tedo Abramov.
He is currently presiding over the cases of Gela Khasaia and ten defendants from the October 4 events (Paata Burchuladze, Murtaz Zodelava, Irakli Nadiradze, Paata Manjgaladze, Lasha Beridze, Tornike Mchedlishvili, Nika Gventsadze, Irakli Chkhvirkia, Irakli Shaishmelashvili, and Guri Zhvania).
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
6. Nino Sakhelashvili — Judge in the case of Mzia Amaglobeli, who sentenced the founders of Netgazeti and Batumelebi to prison.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
Judge Nino Sakhelashvili at Mzia Amaghlobeli’s trial
7. Jvebe Nachkebia — judge who convicted and sentenced four prisoners of conscience: Saba Skhvitaridze, Anton Chechin, Anatoli Gigauri, and Anri Kvaratskhelia.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
8. Giorgi Gelashvili — Judge who convicted and sentenced Giorgi Okmelashvili.
He is currently presiding over a 15-defendant case related to the October 4 events (Daviti Zhghenti, Aleksandre Gogoladze, Kakhaber Mzhavanadze, Eva Shashiashvili, Davit Sturua, Gocha Katashvili, Sulkhan Abralava, Konstantine Kokaia, Giorgi Chakhunashvili, Zakro Albutashvili, Ia Darakhvelidze, Dato Ghurtskaia, Genadi Kelikhashvili, Ramaz Jorbenadze, and Jandri Tirkia).
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
9. Natia Gudadze — Presiding judge in the case of Omar Okribelashvili and Saba Meparishvili.
10. Zviad Sharadze — Judge in the case of Lazare Grigoriadis; also handled the cases of Fridon Bubuteishvili and Irakli Megvinetukhutsesi.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
11. Lela Maridashvili — Initially involved in the cases of Afgan Sadigov, Saba Skhvitaridze, Giorgi Akhobadze, Anatoli Gigauri, and at the early stages of the ongoing October 4 cases.
Before joining the judiciary, she was active in Georgian Dream and served as Deputy Chair of the Sagarejo Municipal Council until 2023.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
12. Davit Mgeliashvili — Initially involved in the cases of Giorgi Okmelashvili, the eight-defendant case, and the cases of Anri Kvaratskhelia, Saba Jikia, Anatoli Gigauri, Mate Devadze, Giorgi Akhobadze, and Anton Chechin.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
13. Nana Shamatava — Initially involved in the cases of Davit Lomidze, Teimuraz Zasokhashvili, and Archil Museliants.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
14. Teona Epitashvili — initially involved in the cases of Giorgi Okmelashvili, Giorgi Mindadze, and Dani Mumladze.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
15. Arsen Kalatozishvili — initially involved in the cases of Daniel Mumladze, Giorgi Akhobadze, and the eight-defendant case.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
16. Lela Kalichenko — initially involved in the cases of Archil Museliants, Lasha Chkhaidze, Tedo Abramov, Nino Datashvili, and Tamar Lortkipanidze.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
17. Davit Kurtanidze — Judge initially involved in the cases of Giorgi Okmelashvili and Mate Devidze.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
18. Ketevan Jachvadze — Judge initially involved in the 11-defendant case (Andro Chichinadze, Jano Archaia, Guri Mirtskhulava, Onise Tskhadadze, Ruslan Sivakov, Luka Jabua, Sergei Kukharchuk, Gia Terishvili, Irakli Kherashvili, Rezo Kiknadze, Vako Tetashvili).
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
Tbilisi City Court: 11-Defendant Trial
19. Nino Tarashvili — Judge initially involved in the cases of Anri Kvaratskhelia, Giorgi Mindadze, and Nika Katsia.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
20. Nato Khujadze — Judge initially involved in the cases of Davit Lomidze, Teimuraz Zasokhashvili, Saba Skhvitari, and Davit Khomeriki.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
21. Eka Barbakadze — Judge initially involved in the cases of Nino Datashvili, Tornike Toshkhua, Mindia Shervashidze, and the ongoing October 4 cases.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
22. Mikheil Jinjolia — Former judge in Giorgi Akhobadze’s case at the merits stage, later replaced by Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili. Sanctioned by the Czech Republic.
23. Irakli Shvangiradze — Judge initially involved in the 11-defendant case (Andro Chichinadze, Jano Archaia, Guri Mirtskhulava, Onise Tskhadadze, Ruslan Sivakov, Luka Jabua, Sergei Kukharchuk, Gia Terishvili, Irakli Kherashvili, Rezo Kiknadze, Vako Tetashvili).
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
24. Koba Chagunava — Judge who has handled dozens of administrative cases against Tbilisi protest participants.
Sanctioned by the Czech Republic and Lithuania.
25. Lela Mildenberger — Judge who, during the 2024 protests, was among the most frequently presiding over administrative cases against Tbilisi protest participants.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
26. Zviad Tsekvava — Judge who has handled dozens of administrative cases against Tbilisi protest participants.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
27. Manuchar Tsatsua — Judge who has handled dozens of administrative cases against Tbilisi protest participants.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
28. Nino Enukidze — Judge who has handled dozens of administrative cases against Tbilisi protest participants. Sanctioned by Lithuania.
29. Lela Tsagareishvili — Judge frequently presiding over administrative cases against Tbilisi protest participants; recently transferred to the Administrative Chamber of the Tbilisi Court of Appeal.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
30. Merab Turava — former Constitutional Court judge and current Deputy Minister of Justice.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
31. Vasil Roinishvili — Constitutional Court judge.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
Vasil Roinishvili — Judge reviewing the ban on the UNM; during Saakashvili’s presidency, he served as a prosecutor for the UNM.
32. Manana Kobakhidze — Constitutional Court judge.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
33. Eva Gotsiridze — Constitutional Court judge.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
34. Giorgi Tevdorashvili — Constitutional Court judge.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
35. Irine Imerlishvili — Constitutional Court judge.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
36. Khvicha Kikilashvili — former Constitutional Court judge.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
37. Levan Kolbaia — initially involved in the cases of Mzia Amaglobeli, Mamuka Jorbenadze, Guram Mikeladze, Davit Gvianidze, Andro Kakabadze, and Giorgi Davitadze.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
38. Malkhaz Okropirashvili — initially involved in the case of Mzia Amaglobeli.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
39. Viktor Metreveli — involved in the case of Mzia Amaglobeli.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
40. Vera Dolidze — initially involved in the case of Mzia Amaglobeli.
Sanctioned by Estonia.
41. Irma Togonidze — handled administrative cases against participants in Batumi protests.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
42. Guliko Kajashvili — handled administrative cases against participants in Batumi protests.
Sanctioned by Estonia and Lithuania.
43. Khatuna Bolkvadze — Batumi City Court judge handling administrative cases against citizens critical of Georgian Dream and its senior officials.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
44. Nino Chabukiani — Zugdidi District Court judge handling administrative cases against participants in Zugdidi protests.
Sanctioned by Lithuania.
Georgian judges were not included in Western sanctions lists for the first time in 2025. Some of those listed above had been sanctioned earlier. For example, Mikheil Chinchaladze and Levan Murusidze were sanctioned by Lithuania in 2024. These two leaders of the so-called judicial clan are also sanctioned by Ukraine. Together with two other judges — Irakli Shengelia (Court of Appeal judge) and Valerian Tsertsvadze (former judge) — they were sanctioned by the U.S. State Department in 2023 for involvement in significant corruption.
Although not included in the 2025 sanctions, Shalva Tadumadze was sanctioned by Lithuania in 2024; at the time, he was Deputy Chair of the Supreme Court and, since December 2024, has served as a Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.
Estonia also sanctioned six judges already in 2024 who appeared again on the 2025 list: Koba Chagunava, Nino Enukidze, Lela Mildenberger, Lela Tsagareishvili, Manuchar Tsatsua, and Zviad Tsekvava.
12 Judges Behind the Unlawful Imprisonment of Mzia Amaglobeli
