ბათუმელები
Here are several key events from 2025 that illustrate how Ivanishvili’s Georgian Dream systematically undermined democracy in Georgia, consolidated authoritarian rule, and pushed the country closer to Russia. Although Ivanishvili’s government now prohibits even standing on the sidewalk—threatening imprisonment for those who defy the ban—pro-European protesters have persisted in the streets for over a year. …
Continue reading “Ivanishvili’s 13 Steps to Undermine Democracy in Georgia”
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. …
Continue reading “Sanctioned Justice: 44 Judges Targeted for Georgian Dream’s Crackdown in 2025”
Amid ongoing protest rallies, Georgian Dream spent the year intensifying efforts to suppress dissent by enacting laws that restrict freedom of expression. The party’s crackdown began in late 2024, when, on December 13, it criminalized several actions that had never previously been considered offenses. Protesters were banned from covering their faces and carrying lasers, while …
Continue reading “From Protest to Punishment: Georgian Dream’s 2025 War on Expression”
This holiday season, Tbilisi presents itself as “a city full of kindness,” illuminated by lavish festive decorations. Yet more than a hundred political prisoners – a number that continues to grow – are spending the holidays behind bars, unable to be with their loved ones, with many suffering from deteriorating health. Among them, two political …
The lawyers representing Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2025 laureate, imprisoned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, have filed a cassation appeal with the Supreme Court of Georgia. The lawyers are challenging the decision of the Kutaisi Court of Appeal, which upheld the two-year prison sentence imposed on Mzia Amaglobeli by the Batumi City Court. In …
The Georgian Dream party has begun enforcing latest repressive amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, under which protesting on sidewalks may result in administrative detention. Since December 23, more than ten citizens have been summoned to court on allegations of blocking pedestrian movement. Most hearings are scheduled for December 25–26 and relate to …
For nearly a year, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli has remained behind bars, serving a two-year sentence for a single slap—an imprisonment widely regarded as politically motivated and unlawful. On 16 December 2025, she was awarded the Sakharov Prize, the European Union’s highest human rights honor. In addition to honoring Amaglobeli’s personal sacrifice and the broader struggle …
Continue reading “12 Judges Behind the Unlawful Imprisonment of Mzia Amaglobeli”
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) announces that, according to their information, Mzia Amaglobeli will undergo eye examinations this week at a clinic of her own choosing. “GYLA has learned that this week the prison administration plans to have Mzia Amaglobeli undergo eye examinations at the clinic she selected,” the organization writes. Mzia Amaglobeli — …
“No gas should ever be mixed into a water cannon. Any solvent is neurotoxic, regardless of what it dissolves, and it can affect the central nervous system. Mixing a solvent with a water jet creates a perilous precedent,” says narcologist Zurab Sikhuralidze. We spoke with him about the chemical substances mentioned in the BBC investigative …
Continue reading “What Happens to the Body After Camite Exposure? — A Doctor Explains”
On December 1, the BBC World Service published an investigative report alleging that Georgian police forces targeted demonstrators with chemical weapons dating back to World War I during last year’s anti-government protests. Georgian Dream denies the BBC’s information and claims that no banned substance was used; however, to this day, they have not specified exactly …
On December 1, the BBC World Service released a documentary indicating that the Georgian authorities likely used a toxic chemical compound called against protesters during the first week of the pro-European demonstrations. According to the BBC investigation, the compound is Camite—a substance last used during World War I. The report highlights the ongoing protests that …
Following an appeal by the lawyers of Mzia Amaglobeli, the Public Defender’s Office has launched an investigation into whether adequate medical treatment is being provided to her in detention. Mzia Amaglobeli, an award-winning journalist, co-founder and director of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, has been unlawfully imprisoned for almost 11 months. According to her lawyers, her eyesight …
“Mzia Amaglobeli’s vision has significantly worsened since she was placed in the penitentiary facility, reaching an alarming level. Despite numerous requests, she has not received the medical examinations needed to plan her treatment. To date, she has been unable to consult a doctor, which is essential for making informed decisions and organizing treatment to preserve …
Today, November 18, the Kutaisi Court of Appeals upheld the Batumi City Court’s verdict sentencing Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison. The decision will be appealed to the Supreme Court of Georgia. On August 6, Batumi City Court judge Nino Sakhelashvili reclassified the charges. Amaglobeli was initially charged under Criminal Code of Geogria, Article 353¹ …
Continue reading “Appellate Court Upholds Two-Year Prison Sentence for Mzia Amaglobeli”
Journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, laureate of Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, addressed panel of judges at the end of appellate hearing: “There is nothing to say, really, except to express my gratitude for this worthy defence. The defence speech that we heard today in this historic building, which is called the court, is the voice …
At the Kutaisi Court of Appeal, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli’s lawyer Maia Mtsariashvili concluded her closing statement. At the end of her 5-hour speech, she addressed the judges – Nikoloz Margvelashvili, Nana Jokhadze and Marina Siradze. “Judges, The court of first instance saw and heard everything – it cannot be shown more clearly than we have …
Continue reading ““I Demand Acquittal, Not Pardon”: Defence Concludes Five-Hour Closing Statement”
At the appellate hearing of Mzia Amaglobeli, lawyer Maia Mtsariashvili described her client’s integrity, her lack of political or economic influence, and law-abiding life, stressing that given Amaglobeli is recognized as a prisoner of conscience, it is now the court’s responsibility to determine whether Georgia truly functions as a rule-of-law state. She stated: “Today, I …
“This is a case of systemic illegality, systemic violence. This is a case of police retaliation, a case of whitewashing the system’s unlawful actions. At the same time, it is a case of police revenge,” said Maia Mtsariashvili today, on November 18, during Mzia Amaglobeli’s ongoing hearing at the Kutaisi Court of Appeals. At this …
Georgian citizens will no longer be able to vote from abroad in parliamentary elections — Georgian Dream plans to introduce corresponding amendments to the Election Code. The statement was made today, 17 November, by GD’s Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili. According to him, a new Election Code will be initiated in Parliament, which will include “essentially …
Continue reading “Georgian Dream Moves to Ban Overseas Voting, Targeting Large Critical Electorate”
One day before the final hearing in the appellate case of Georgia’s imprisoned journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) has announced that it is filing a new application with the ECHR on behalf of her. The application concerns Mzia Amaglobeli’s unlawful administrative arrest and the violations committed in the course of the …
The second appellate hearing in the case of Georgia’s imprisoned journalist and 2025 Sakharov Prize laureate, Mzia Amaglobeli, took place on November 18 at the Kutaisi Court of Appeals. Both the Prosecutor’s Office, which is seeking to increase the charges and sentence against Mzia Amaglobeli, and Amaglobeli’s lawyers, who are requesting that the verdict against …
Judge Koba Chagunava has sentenced Soviet history researcher, educator, and historian Rusiko Kobakhidze to three days in administrative detention for the second time, again on the grounds of “blocking the road.” “The violation is evident, and there are no circumstances that would rule out detention,” — said Judge Koba Chagunava in his reasoning. The first …
Criminal prosecution has been initiated against former Prime Minister and opposition For Georgia party leader Giorgi Gakharia in connection with the June 20, 2019 events and the Chorchana checkpoint case. The announcement was made on November 12, by the Prosecutor General, Giorgi Gvaramidze, at a press briefing. Gakharia is charged with organizing the intentional infliction …
On November 11, the Court of Appeals in Kutaisi began hearing the case of Mzia Amaglobeli. Her lawyers are appealing the verdict delivered on August 6 by Batumi City Court Judge Nino Sakhelashvili, which sentenced Amaglobeli to two years in prison. The defense is seeking her full acquittal. The prosecution has also appealed, demanding conviction …
Continue reading “Key Points from Mzia Amaglobeli’s Appellate Court Hearing”
Mzia Amaglobeli, Georgia’s imprisoned journalist and Sakharov Prize laureate, founder of Netgazeti and Batumelebi, requested to speak at the Court of Appeals. “I want to wish resilience and victory to the society in resistance. I want to thank the audience here in the courtroom, as well as my fellow supporters outside and my family, for …
The Prosecutor’s Office has launched criminal proceedings against eight opposition leaders, charging them with crimes against the state. The announcement was made today, November 6, by the Prosecutor General of Georgia, Giorgi Gvaramidze, at a press briefing. According to him, criminal prosecution has been initiated against Mikheil Saakashvili, Giorgi Vashadze, Nika Gvaramia, Nikanor Melia, Zurab …
The ruling Georgian Dream party is invoking the murder case of Sergeant Roin Shavadze and past violations of journalists’ rights as arguments to ban the United National Movement and other opposition parties. The constitutional complaint has been assigned to the same judge who, as a prosecutor, oversaw the original investigation of Shavadze’s case during the …
„საერთაშორისო გამჭვირვალობა – საქართველოს“ განცხადებით, „ქართული ოცნების“ მიერ შეცვლილი კანონები ფაქტობრივად აუქმებს საქართველოს კონსტიტუციით აღიარებულ შეკრების თავისუფლებას და რეპრესიული წესები ასევე წინააღმდეგობაშია ადამიანის უფლებათა ევროპული კონვენციით დაცულ ძირითად უფლებებთან. ორგანიზაციის განცხადებით, „ქართულმა ოცნებამ“ 2024 წლის დეკემბრიდან დღემდე 4-ჯერ შეიტანა ცვლილება შეკრებისა და მანიფესტაციის მარეგულირებელ კანონმდებლობაში – ყოველ ჯერზე ცვლილებები უფრო მეტად რეპრესიულ შინაარს ატარებდა და …
Continue reading “„ოცნება“ საქართველოში შეკრების თავისუფლებას ფაქტობრივად აუქმებს – „გამჭვირვალობა“”
On October 29, teacher and civil activist Nino Datashvili, who had been held in pretrial detention, was released from the Rustavi Women’s Prison after the court replaced her detention with bail. Tbilisi City Court Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili granted the prosecution’s motion to substitute Datashvili’s pretrial detention with bail set at 5,000 GEL. The prosecution’s decision …
The health of imprisoned civil activist and teacher Nino Datashvili, a prisoner of conscience, has deteriorated sharply, raising serious concerns about her survival in detention. Her husband, Godi Pruidze, wrote on Facebook that he visited Datashvili on October 28 at the Rustavi Women’s Colony and found her in alarming condition. According to Pruidze, Datashvili can …
Seven participants of the October 4 protest have been granted bail after being charged with obstructing film crews from pro-government media outlets. Six of the protesters were each released on 3,000 GEL bail, while civil activist and former TV host Irakli Tsulaia was assigned a 5,000 GEL bail. Despite this, Tsulaia remains in custody, as …
Tamar Lortkipanidze, 48, who climbed onto a patrol car during the October 22 protest in Tbilisi, has been formally charged by the Georgian Prosecutor’s Office with violence and attacking a police vehicle. The Ministry of Internal Affairs initially detained Lortkipanidze under Article 239 of the Criminal Code, which covers hooliganism. According to the Prosecutor’s Office, …
In the past two days, 14 people have been arrested under the new repressive laws enacted against the protest. According to a statement released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) on October 21, initials of 13 people detained over the past two days for “violating the rules of holding an assembly or demonstration” are: …
Formula TV journalist Tsira Zhvania has been arrested on allegations of “blocking the road” during protests on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. “Two police officers were waiting for me near my home. We waited 20 minutes for the patrol crew. They just arrived – apparently, I’m being detained for blocking the road,” Zhvania wrote. Zhvania is …
64-year-old Kote (Konstantine) Kokaia, arrested in connection with the October 4 events, has written a letter to his daughter from prison describing the conditions of his detention. According to him, he has lost vision in one eye, requires medical attention, but has not been taken to a doctor. The conditions he describes indicate serious violations …
Film director Giorgi Tavartkiladze, who voluntarily went to the police and stated that he had blocked the road, was not detained. According to his lawyer, Nika Simonishvili, Tavartkiladze was questioned at the police station. “Director Giorgi Tavartkiladze went to the police station on his own and said: ‘I blocked the road – arrest me like …
