Mass Censorship - Persecution for Facebook Posts

"I have been summoned to court tomorrow. Mariam Lashkhi is suing me because of a Facebook post where I called her a slave. You are a slave, Mariam. No matter how many times you sue, nothing will change that," wrote journalist and TV presenter Nanuka Zhorzholiani.

Based on Mariam Lashkhi's complaint, TV Pirveli presenters Vika Bukia and Eka Mishveladze were also summoned to court. Lashkhi is suing them for calling her a slave as well.

The police drew up an administrative offense report against journalist Dea Mamiseishvili based on a complaint from Georgian Dream MP Mamuka Mdinaradze.

"I'm being summoned to court because I offended Mamuka. Mamuka Mdinaradze felt insulted, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the court felt it necessary [to act]. Mamuka is suing me for a post on February 25 where I call him a ‘bastard’, a ‘scum’, and an ‘inhuman’. This is my freedom of expression. That's what I think (and worse), and no one can restrict me," said Dea Mamiseishvili.

Court hearings for journalists, activists, and politicians subjected to administrative responsibility for Facebook posts – Nanuka Zhorzholiani, Vika Bukia, Eka Mishveladze, Dea Mamiseishvili, Vakho Sanaia, Misha Mshvildadze, Tamar Chergoleishvili, Levan Khabeishvili, Elene Khoshtaria, Aleko Elisashvili, Ana Subeliani, Baia Pataraia, Davit Katsarava, Giorgi Kadagidze, Keti Molashvili, Mariam Geguchadze, Giga Makarashvili, Giorgi Tumasyan – were scheduled one after another at the Tbilisi City Court for June 12.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) is accusing the prosecuted individuals of violating Article 173, Section 16 Prime of the Administrative Offenses Code, which entails verbal insult, abusive language, offensive harassment, and/or other insulting actions against a Georgian state-political official, state employee, or public servant during the performance of official duties or in connection with the performance of official duties or activities. The penalty for this article is a fine ranging from GEL 1,500 to GEL 4,000 or administrative imprisonment for up to 45 days.

The Georgian Dream parliament introduced this article into the Code on February 6, 2025. Previously, similar actions were not considered an offense.

Based on the complaint of Georgian Dream MP Mariam Lashkhi, students Lika Lortkipanidze and Tatia Apriamashvili were arrested for 12 days on May 30. The Ministry of Internal Affairs had requested their detention for 45 days. The court ordered Magda Mamukashvili, a mother of two, to pay GEL 4,000.

On the same day, Tbilisi City Court Judge Nino Enukidze sentenced Tornike Skhvitaridze to 5 days of administrative imprisonment and fined Ani Kavtaradze GEL 5,000. The MIA accused them of insulting police officer Mirian Kavtaradze in the court corridor on April 17.

Earlier, on May 23, Zugdidi District Court fined civil activists Mariam Sitchinava and Keren Esebua GEL 3,500 and GEL 4,000. Irakli Zarkua, a member of Georgian Dream, filed a complaint against them after the activists met him at a hotel in Zugdidi and saw him off with insulting shouts.

On June 4, Tbilisi City Court Judge Manuchar Tsatsua arrested activist Albi Kordzaia for 10 days. The Ministry of Internal Affairs accused him of insulting Georgian Dream MP, former Minister of Justice and Culture, Tea Tsulukiani. On April 11, Tea Tsulukiani, while speaking about Georgia's national hero Giorgi Antsukhelidze, said – "pointlessly sacrificed for someone's PR," after which activists went to her house and protested Tsulukiani's statement. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Albi Kordzaia used a megaphone to call Tea Tsulukiani "Russia's slave" and "traitor of the country," which not only caused discomfort to Tea Tsulukiani but also "disturbed other citizens."

Georgian Dream MP Davit Matikashvili filed a police complaint against civil activist Lekso Samkharadze. On June 2, Lekso Samkharadze published a video showing him addressing Davit Matikashvili, who was entering a cafe, with protest shouts: "Ole, Ola... Go extinct in Russia, you little Qotsi."

According to the Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA), prosecuting cases based on evaluative judgments expressed towards politicians creates a precedent for mass censorship.

GYLA believes this constitutes an unjustified restriction on freedom of expression, creates a chilling effect, and aims to instill fear in society to prevent people from critically evaluating the actions of the Georgian Dream and its politicians.

"The European Court of Human Rights does not consider politicians, or even public institutions, as subjects that should be under enhanced protection from insult or ridicule. Posts published on social media, if they do not contain real threats and are directed at politicians who have a high tolerance for criticism, are protected by freedom of expression. Any judicial interpretation made contrary to this standard will be a precedent for mass censorship," states Nona Kurdovanidze, GYLA Chairperson.