Journalists’ Safety in Georgia

Incidents

  • 14.07.2025
  • Tbilisi
  • An official
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Discrediting Verbal attack

“Georgian Dream” Executive Secretary Accused Journalist Nodar Meladze of “Agency Speculation”

On July 14, 2025, "Georgian Dream" Executive Secretary Mamuka Mdinaradze accused "TV Pirveli" news service head Nodar Meladze of "agency speculation." "This question serves your agency speculation, in connection with blaming others for your crime" - Mamuka Mdinaradze told the journalist.
  • 14.07.2025
  • Batumi
  • Court
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Interference Removal from a court hearing

Judge Moved Mzia Amaghlobeli’s Court Proceedings to Smaller Courtroom

On July 14, 2025, Judge Nino Sakhelashvili moved the court proceedings of journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who is in illegal imprisonment, to a smaller courtroom. According to information from online media "Batumelebi," the judge made the decision after, according to her, shouts could be heard from the street in the courtroom - "Freedom for Mzia! Freedom for political prisoners!" According to the online media's information, a large part of those wishing to attend the court session could not enter the proceedings, among them were members of Mzia Amaghlobeli's family, colleagues, and representatives of the diplomatic corps.
  • 12.07.2025
  • Law enforcement
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Attack on property Physical violence

A high-ranking police officer locked a ‘TV Pirveli’ journalist in his office and confiscated their equipment

On July 12, 2025, a journalistic investigation aired on the television channel “TV Pirveli”, concerning police officers whom “Georgian Dream” allegedly uses against prisoners of conscience, and the benefits these police officers receive in return. The report covered police officer Bidzina Zhamerashvili, whose father, according to the investigation, had been detained for theft.
  • 12.07.2025
  • Asureti
  • Law enforcement
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Attack on property Seizure or confiscation of equipment

High-Ranking Police Official Locked “TV Pirveli” Journalist in Office and Seized Equipment

On July 12, 2025, TV company "TV Pirveli" aired a journalistic investigation that concerned police officers whom "Georgian Dream" allegedly uses against prisoners of conscience and the benefits these police officers receive in return. The story covered police officer Bidzina Zhamerashvili, whose father, according to the investigation, had been arrested on theft charges.
  • 10.07.2025
  • Tbilisi
  • An official
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Discrediting Verbal attack

“Georgian Dream” Government Leader Continues Discrediting Prisoner of Conscience Mzia Amaghlobeli

On July 10, 2025, "Georgian Dream" Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused the founder of "Batumelebi/Netgazeti," Mzia Amaghlobeli, of fulfilling a "specific order" and "humiliating and insulting" the police.
  • 10.07.2025
  • Tbilisi
  • Prime Minister
  • Persecution based on professional grounds
Incident Type:
Discrediting Verbal attack

The head of the Georgian Dream government continues to discredit Mazia Amaghlobeli, a prisoner of conscience

On July 10, 2025, the Prime Minister of “Georgian Dream,” Irakli Kobakhidze, accused Mazia Amaghlobeli, the founder of “Batumelebi/Netgazeti,” of carrying out a “specific assignment” and of “demeaning and insulting” the police.
  • 10.07.2025
  • Tbilisi
  • Pro-government/Propaganda television station “Imedi”
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Discrediting Verbal attack

Media Platform “ChaiKhana” Becomes Target of Disinformation Attack

On July 10, 2025, disinformation was spread against media platform "ChaiKhana" on the broadcast of "Imedi," a broadcaster supporting "Georgian Dream." Specifically, the discussion was about "ChaiKhana" receiving 532,117 euros from the European Commission. Media platform "ChaiKhana" issued a statement that the story aired on "Imedi" does not correspond to the truth.
  • 10.07.2025
  • Tbilisi
  • Court
  • Interference with professional duties
Incident Type:
Interference Removal from a court hearing

Judge Completely Closed Court Proceedings Due to Photo Distribution

On July 10, 2025, due to the distribution of photos from the courtroom, Judge Nino Galustashvili closed the Lomidze-Zasokhashvili trial and had everyone present, including journalists, leave the courtroom.
  • 08.07.2025
  • Tbilisi
  • An official
  • Persecution for expressing critical position
Incident Type:
Discrediting Verbal attack

Irakli Kobakhidze Attempts to Discredit Independent Media “TV Pirveli” and “Formula”

  • 08.07.2025
Incident Type:

Irakli Kobakhidze is attempting to discredit the dependent media outlets ‘TV Pirveli’ and ‘Formula’

On July 8, 2025, the Prime Minister of the Georgian Dream government, Irakli Kobakhidze, attempted to discredit independent broadcasters “TV Pirveli” and “Formula.” He made comments to the media regarding the alleged suicide attempt of former Chairman of the Adjara Government, Tornike Rijvadze, according to the official investigation. In his statement, he “generally” linked the incident to oppositional television channels and accused critical TV stations of “slander” and “spreading hatred.”

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