Court Keeps 8 Unjustly Detained Protesters in Custody
Tbilisi City Court Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili has kept eight detained individuals in Custody. The court conducted a mandatory review of the preventive measures imposed on the defendants, as required every two months.
The prosecution had filed a motion to keep the defendants in custody, arguing that there was a risk they might abscond or commit new offences. However, the defence disagreed, stating that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient justification for continued detention and requested the immediate release of the eight individuals.
Despite the defence’s arguments, the judge granted the prosecution’s motion. The next court hearing is scheduled for May 7 at 12:00.
Three of the defendants—Zviad Tsetskhladze, Vepkhia Kasradze, and Vasil Kadzelashvili—are charged with organising and leading gang violence, offences that carry a potential sentence of 6 to 9 years in prison. The remaining five—Irakli Miminoshvili, Insaf Aliyev, Tornike Goshadze, Nikoloz Javakhishvili, and Giorgi Gorgadze—are accused of participating in gang violence and face 4 to 6 years in prison.
Civil society and opposition parties believe that the detainees were arrested for political reasons, as there is no evidence against them in the case and the crime cannot be considered a group crime, as they did not even know each other.
Georgia Slips 11 Spots in Global Press Freedom Ranking
On May 2, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) published its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, assessing the state of media freedom in 180 countries. According to the report, Georgia has dropped 11 places compared to 2024, falling from 103rd to 114th.
The report also presents five key indicators—political, economic, legal, social, and security—each of which has shown a decline compared to the previous year:
- Political Indicator: 132 (previously 127)
- Economic Indicator: 110 (previously 114)
- Legislative Indicator: 100 (previously 72)
- Social Indicator: 102 (previously 93)
- Security Indicator: 109 (previously 110)
The report states, “Government interference undermines efforts to improve media freedom. The environment remains hostile for independent and opposition media. Verbal and physical attacks against journalists are on the rise.”
The report also highlights that recently introduced laws on “foreign influence” and “family values” are being used to marginalise journalists, enforce censorship, and limit the space for free expression in Georgia.
Kaladze on EPP Resolution: “EPP and Certain MEPs Are Hostile to Georgia”
Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze has responded to the recent resolution on Georgia by the European People’s Party (EPP), stating:
“The adoption of this resolution once again confirms that the EPP and specific MEPs within the group are hostile to Georgia and its European future.”
The EPP resolution calls on EU member states and partners to impose sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and his family members, including freezing their assets within the EU. Additionally, it urges the European Council to take steps to disconnect Cartu Bank from the SWIFT system and Visa/MasterCard services, as well as to sanction businesses that support the bank.
Kaladze denounced the resolution as foreign interference in Georgia’s internal affairs and asserted that the ruling Georgian Dream party acts in the nation’s best interest.
“We have seen many such resolutions in the past. This is interference in the internal political affairs of the country. Since Saakashvili’s time in power, they have held the illusion that Georgia is their backyard. Today, Georgia has a government elected by the majority of our people,” Kaladze stated.