Main points about persecution in Georgia for insults on social media

In Georgia, critical statements about the authorities, including on social media, have become grounds for administrative proceedings. Law enforcement agencies refer to the need to protect public order and combat "hate speech." The main focus is on protecting public officials and politicians.

Tightening of laws

In February 2025, the Parliament of Georgia adopted amendments to the Code of Administrative Offenses (CoAO) 1 and changes to the law "On Freedom of Speech and Expression" 2. Penalties for protesters were tightened, and administrative liability for "insulting" officials was introduced, providing for detention of up to 45 days or a fine of up to 4000 lari. Courts and police in Georgia have begun to actively interpret publications and comments on social media as "violations of public order in public space."

In June 2025, amendments to the law "On Freedom of Speech" were adopted. The concept of defamation was changed. The mandatory requirement of "causing harm" was removed – the mere fact of spreading a false statement that tarnishes reputation is sufficient. At the same time, the burden of proving the truth of the words has been shifted to the author of the comment 3.

Since June 1, 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has established a Department for Combating "Hate Speech," which monitors social media and public communication channels, including Facebook* and Telegram, and independently submits materials to the court 4.

A complaint from the victim is no longer required. However, according to Deputy Prime Minister Mamuka Mdinaradze, there are currently no clear criteria, and the boundaries of what is permissible will be defined by court practice 5.

Violators face hefty fines ranging from 1500 to 4000 lari (approximately $550–1500) or administrative arrest for up to 15–45 days 6.

Opinion of human rights defenders

Human rights organizations, including GYLA, consider administrative cases for comments an attempt to limit political discussion. Lawyers emphasize the need to distinguish between emotional political speech and personal insults, as well as to consider the context 7.

According to "Caucasian Knot," in the first two months of the department's operation, about 300 administrative cases related to sharp comments, obscene inscriptions, and criticism of the current authorities were sent to court. Hearings are held in an expedited manner — lasting 8–10 minutes 8.

What they are judged for

The updated legislation covers public records, comments, reposts, and even videos on social media that contain:

What they are not judged for

The legislation of Georgia still declares the protection of basic freedom of speech, so the following should not be subject to prosecution:

Law enforcement

On September 10, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia initiated administrative proceedings against journalist Tornike Razmadze for an obscene comment, which the agency considered an insult to Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze 9. Razmadze claims that the statement was directed at Russian propagandists Margarita Simonyan and Vladimir Solovyov, and that the prosecution is politically motivated. The reason was a Facebook* video from August 18, in which Razmadze compared Kobakhidze's rhetoric to statements by Russian media figures. The journalist reports that he is being charged under part 1 of article 166 of the CoAO, as well as for disobeying police orders 10.

As part of the same campaign, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the discovery of comments by Anna Bdeyan, which, according to the agency, insulted Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Administrative proceedings are also underway against her for petty hooliganism and disobeying police orders 11.

At the end of July, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced journalist Vakho Sanaya to 14 days of administrative detention for a social media post concerning Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Deputy Vladimir Bozhadze 12.

On July 3, 2026, the court fined Giorgi Gogia 3000 lari (about $1100), finding him guilty of petty hooliganism for a post insulting Bera Ivanishvili. The materials regarding his social media activity were submitted to the court by the Ministry of Internal Affairs 13.

On June 30, 2026, the court also fined civil activist Nata Peradze, who is in exile, for a post about Bera Ivanishvili. The day before, another activist, Tamar Giorgadze, was fined for using obscene language against Bidzina Ivanishvili. Both were also found guilty of petty hooliganism 14.

In June, the court fined lawyer Shota Tutberidze 4000 lari for a comment on social media. The complaint was filed by the department for combating "hate speech."

ECtHR decision in the case of "Miladze v. Georgia"

An important precedent was the case of "Miladze v. Georgia," considered by the European Court of Human Rights. On May 19, 2026, the ECtHR found no violation of Article 10 of the Convention in connection with the imposition of a fine 15 under Article 166 of the CoAO of Georgia against activist Irakli Miladze, who in 2022 published a TikTok video with obscene language directed at Tbilisi Mayor Kaha Kaladze and local police officers 16. GYLA explained that the ECtHR recognized the fine as lawful only due to the use of coarse personal insults, while the court assessed the specific combination of political criticism and coarse address, rather than establishing a general prohibition on criticizing officials.

* The activities of Meta (owner of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.

Note

  1. https://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/28216?publication=512
  2. http://matsne.gov.ge/en/document/view/33208?publication=9
  3. "Threat of censorship". The Parliament adopted amendments to the Law on Freedom of Speech and Expression and the Civil Procedure Code of Georgia in the third reading // parliament.ge, 26.06.2025.
  4. A department will be created in Georgia to monitor "aggressive communication in public space" // JAMnews, 18.05.2026.
  5. The authorities of Georgia are creating a special unit to monitor hate speech on social media https://www.newsgeorgia.ge, 20.05.2026.
  6. Ibid
  7. The sentence of Vakho Sanaya to 14 days of imprisonment contradicts the basic principles of justice // gyla.ge, 22.07.2026.
  8. Courts for comments on Facebook* are taking place in Georgia. Hearings last 8–9 minutes // Paper, 25.06.2026.
  9. The department for combating hate speech clarifies that Tornike Razmadze is charged with insulting Irakli Kobakhidze on social media // interpressnews.ge, 10.09.2026.
  10. Blogger Tornike Razmadze faces a fine or imprisonment for a comment on social media // https://georgiatoday.ge/, 10.09.2026.
  11. The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the discovery of comments by Anna Bdeyan // New DOSH, 11.09.2026.
  12. GYLA: The court's decision in the case of Vakho Sanaya contradicts European standards // SOVA, 22.07.2026.
  13. In Georgia, two people were fined for insults against Bera Ivanishvili on Facebook* // SOVA, 07.07.2026.
  14. Ibid
  15. https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/?i=001-250113
  16. Ministry of Justice — According to the assessment of the Strasbourg court, publicly made offensive, obscene, and humiliating statements go beyond the freedom of expression // 1tv.ge, 19.05.2026.
Source: https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/426617