Georgia jails critics over social posts, HRW says

Human Rights Watch said Georgian authorities are jailing or fining critics over social media posts under vague rules, warning that the practice threatens free expression in Georgia.

The rights group said a new interior ministry division, created in June to combat hate speech, monitors public statements including social media and press comments that it considers degrading, insulting or hateful, particularly toward officials. HRW said the unit identifies alleged offenders and refers cases to court.

By August 1, the unit had referred around 300 alleged offences to courts, which had completed about 130 cases and imposed fines or administrative detention, HRW said.

HRW said journalist Vakho Sanaia, a critic of the Georgian Dream government, was jailed for 14 days in July over a Facebook post insulting ruling-party figures. It said activist Giorgi Akhobadze was sentenced two days later to 25 days in detention over statements about officials and a police officer.

“Detention or substantial fines for nonviolent expression under vague rules, combined with monitoring social media, pose a serious threat to free expression in Georgia,” said Hugh Williamson, HRW’s Europe and Central Asia director. He called on Georgia to end detention for peaceful expression and repeal restrictions on speech.

Georgia has faced a prolonged political crisis since a disputed October 2024 parliamentary election. Critics accuse the Georgian Dream government of Kremlin-style authoritarianism, while the party rejects the criticism and says opponents are trying to destabilise the country.

The European Union says democratic backsliding under the government has halted Georgia’s accession process. The Georgian government’s November 2024 decision to shelve efforts to open EU membership talks until at least 2028 sparked mass protests, followed by a crackdown and tighter restrictions on protests, civil society and independent media.