Journalists under the terror of repression: how the Georgian government is cracking down on press freedom

"Fight before it’s too late!" – the message from renowned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, sent from prison after she began her hunger strike in mid-January 2025. Mzia Amaglobeli, who founded the news portals Netgazeti and Batumelebi in 2001, is considered a pioneer of the free press in Georgia.

She is one of over 50 prisoners of conscience who have been awaiting trial in Georgian prisons since the end of November last year.

In October 2024, Georgian Dream – the ruling party, led since 2012 by an oligarch (whose name is deliberately withheld here) – seized power through massive election fraud to continue its one-party rule and strengthen ties with Russia instead of turning away from it. Only civil society stands in its way – educated, brave, committed, and freedom-loving people who demand their voices back and persistently call for new elections.

So far, there hasn’t been a single concession.

On the contrary, Georgian Dream continues to do business with the autocrats of the world, the only ones who have officially recognised the government so far.

The full spectrum of authoritarianism is rapidly being established. In doing so, the state not only betrays its own citizens who aspire to move closer to Europe but also discards the reforms and years of hard work that had brought Georgia nearer to the EU.

Mzia Amaglobeli cited her main reason for going on hunger strike: she refused to "follow the regime's agenda," a fitting expression in light of the actions of what is now also referred to in the West as the Georgian Nightmare.

"Freedom for the regime’s prisoners!" shout the protesters who have been gathering continuously for nearly 90 days, employing various methods and addressing a range of protest themes. They have no other choice! The race against the terror imposed by Georgian Dream leaves them no alternative.

Mzia Amaglobeli is a prime example. Her case began with a sticker calling for a strike, continued with a light slap directed at the police chief, and after ending her hunger strike on the 38th day, her story could conclude with up to seven years in prison. According to the laws of lawlessness, her defense is certain: she will be punished for her unwavering commitment to a free press.

The ruling party has consolidated its power over the years, and the judges now rubber-stamp unlawful accusations.

Additionally to this is police harassment, which, just like in Mzia’s case, extends to verbal and physical humiliation and assaults on detainees, with the perpetrators feeling protected on all sides.

The case of journalist Guram Rogava is another stark example, where violence was used as a method of intimidation. In front of live cameras, the journalist was brutally beaten while covering the violent dispersal of a peaceful demonstration, barely escaping death.

Another example is the solidarity action for Mzia Amaglobeli. Journalist Vasili Ivanov-Chikovani, a leading spokesperson for the public broadcaster, not only showed solidarity with his imprisoned colleague but also dared to engage in a professional dispute with the station’s management. His courageous stance ended with his suspension.

"No justice, no peace!"

– calls out a piercing female voice through a megaphone as the marching crowd behind her echoes the chant. The "stream" of protesters, accompanied by drummers, traditionally begins its rhythmic beat in front of the public broadcaster’s building, where every evening they demand a voice for the people.

"Into the fire with the oligarchy!" – shout the demonstrators. For months, people have taken to the streets. "You cannot stop the flow of the people! The flow that comes from the heart!" – this chant lifts the spirits of those gathering every evening in front of the Parliament in Tbilisi, marking their relentless resistance.

Since 28 November 2024, after the Prime Minister from Georgian Dream officially froze the partnership with the EU, protests have been ongoing, without pause.

"Unjust judge, fear the power of the people!" – cry the marchers.

Is it already too late to ignite a wave of justice?

One can awaken from a nightmare, but how does one escape disaster?

It’s long past time to wonder who slept through what and when.

The propaganda fairy tale spun by Georgian Dream, with its phantom actors and conspiracy theories, has not only lulled politicians from the EU and the US but also 40% of the Georgian population, albeit for different reasons.

The country’s opposition has failed miserably to neutralise this influence espessialie in one direction: Georgian Dream bluffed plunged the population into panic with the looming threat of a "second front."

Fortunately, the free press still survives. Television channels like Mtavari, Formula Ge, Publika, Civil.ge, and others continue to broadcast, write, and publish, despite escalating repression and relentless political pressure that overwhelm the population.

The latest numbers speak for themselves. Such miner as: 18 million lari (about 6,2 mln euro), the total fines the city has imposed on peaceful protesters so far. The standard fine for traffic disruption has been raised to 5,000 lari (about 1,700 euro), 19 times higher than the subsistence minimum in Georgia (Tabula.ge).

According to information from the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics,

13 journalists have received such fines while carrying out their duties.

House searches, evidence manipulation, and other forms of harassment have become routine.

Georgia is a geopolitically significant country "They won’t leave us alone," some hope.

Georgia is a nation marked by hardship "No one will intimidate us," others declare.

Georgia is God’s chosen "A miracle will save us," believe the faithfull.

Yet, while Georgian Dream boasts of supposedly having predicted the future by aligning with Russia, Georgia is being dragged back into the past.

The cynicism of the way people are treated is well known from the Soviet era of Stalin's repressions.

Like in the case of "the journalist Alexandre Keshelashvili from the online outlet Publika was also injured. Riot police attacked him and began beating him brutally." (jam-news.net) And today instead of punishing the perpetrators, the journalist himself is being charged with an administrative offense.

Yesterday, a search took place at the home of sports correspondent Sandro Tsnobiladze. "Associates link it to the ongoing process and his participation in protests" (IPN). The investigative actions seem to be based on the well-known slander accusation, the "woman's complaint."

And on the streets, the cry echoes loudly: "Where there is no justice, there is no peace!"

Publications in the Expert Opinion section are not editorial articles and solely reflect the author's point of view