A Georgian activist was fined for a social media post.

Activist Ia Melitauri was fined in Tbilisi for a post that mentioned a person's last name. Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs convinced the court that Melitauri insulted a police officer in her post.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," in October 2025, after laws on assemblies and demonstrations were tightened, security forces in Georgia began to massively detain protesters. In March, Georgian authorities again tightened laws: amendments criminalizing non-recognition of government authorities and "extremism against the constitutional order" came into force.

The Tbilisi City Court found activist Ia Melitauri guilty of insulting a police officer and fined her 2,500 lari (approximately $932), Georgia Online reported today.

Article 173 of the Georgian Code of Administrative Offenses, under which Melitauri was found guilty, carries a fine of up to 5,000 lari or administrative arrest for up to 60 days, the publication writes.

The case was prompted by a now-deleted Facebook post* in which Melitauri insulted a certain Salukvadze and urged him to seek treatment. The post did not specify which Salukvadze was being referred to, Paper Kartuli reported today.

Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that Melitauri insulted police officer Lasha Salukvadze. However, Dimitri Vardiashvili's lawyer objected that it is impossible to determine the intended target of the insult based on a single surname, the publication notes.

As a reminder, protesters in Georgia have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners since November 28, 2024. On May 4, the 523rd day of continuous protests, protesters again demanded the release of political prisoners.

On October 4, 2025, the day of municipal elections, thousands of people gathered in central Tbilisi. After opera singer Paata Burchaladze declared that power in Georgia belongs to the people, clashes broke out between protesters and security forces near the presidential palace. Security forces used riot gear, while protesters used firecrackers. Six demonstrators and 21 security forces were hospitalized, and another 30 people received medical treatment on the spot. Police have opened a criminal case in connection with calls to overthrow the government, an attack on police officers, and the storming of the palace.

The attempt to seize the presidential palace was doomed to failure and has given the current government a new opportunity to pressure the opposition. Analysts interviewed by the Caucasian Knot indicated that a peaceful change of power remains only if the opposition overcomes its disunity.

The municipal elections held in 2025 determined the political balance in Georgia for the coming years, according to the Caucasian Knot report "Municipal Elections in Georgia on October 4, 2025".