Onlookers assemble at Tbilisi Court during Skhvitaridze's judicial proceeding

Onlookers assemble at Tbilisi Court during Skhvitaridze's judicial proceeding

📣 Here's the scoop on the latest drama at Tbilisi City Court!

On May 2, 2025, a crowd gathered to support Tornike Skhvitaridze, who's staring down charges under Article 173 of Georgia’s Administrative Offenses Code for allegedly insulting police officer Mirian Kavtaradze. The trial unfolded in a small room, sparking a commotion as folks wanted more room and the police off the premises.

The fuss around Skhvitaridze's case comes as his brother, Saba, is still in custody on unrelated charges, causing public uproar and raising questions about the proceedings. The situation echoes past instances involving opposition spokeswomen Miranda Bagaturia and Ana Kurashvili. Much like Tornike, they allegedly insulted the very same officer, Kavtaradze, during a separate hearing and received fines of GEL 4,000 for it.

It's still uncertain whether the authorities will seek administrative detention for Tornike, as they did with Bagaturia and Kurashvili. But with recent events like the reclassification of charges against labor protesters in Tkibuli to more severe offenses, like Article 225 of the Criminal Code for group violence, it's clear there's a pattern of strong enforcement against dissent.

This case highlights the escalating tensions between authorities and opposition voices, bringing more heat to Georgia’s courtrooms. It's important to keep an eye on these developments, as the final outcome could set a high-stakes precedent for free speech in the country. 🔥👍🏽👮‍♂️🚨🍿📝🔔 #TornikeSkhvitaridze #Article173 #TbilisiProtests

1. Tornike Skhvitaridze's supporters gathered outside Tbilisi City Court on May 2, 2025, in response to his detention under Article 173 of Georgia’s Administrative Offenses Code for allegedly insulting police officer Mirian Kavtaradze.
2. Saba Skhvitaridze, Tornike's brother, remains in custody on unrelated charges, leading to public outrage and concerns about the fairness of the proceedings.
3. The circumstances surrounding Tornike Skhvitaridze's case mirror past instances involving opposition spokeswomen Miranda Bagaturia and Ana Kurashvili, who were also fined for allegedly insulting Mirian Kavtaradze.
4. With the authorities potentially seeking administrative detention for Tornike Skhvitaridze, the riding wave of strong enforcement against dissenting voices in Georgia’s political, general-news, and crime-and-justice sectors becomes increasingly evident.

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