NGO claims Georgian activist forcibly sent for psychiatric evaluation in bid to silence dissent

The Georgian NGO Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) has accused authorities of using forced psychiatric evaluation as a tool to silence dissent, after a court approved the transfer of detained activist Nino Datashvili to a psychiatric facility.

The NGO said on Saturday the prosecution requested the examination without medical justification, and that the court granted the motion in a closed hearing - without Datashvili’s presence or opportunity to respond.

Tamar Gabodze, head of PHR and Datashvili’s lawyer, said the prosecution had adopted a “dangerous new method of targeting activists. In Datashvili’s case, they requested psychiatric evaluation based on old medical records that do not support such a decision. This is unlawful and politically motivated.”

Gabodze further noted the court had also authorised the activist’s involuntary transfer to a psychiatric institution for 20 days, raising concerns about her prolonged detention in a medical setting rather than a legal one.

The prosecution cited 2019 medical notes, which mention emotional symptoms linked to a spinal condition. Gabodze argued that these were physical health issues mischaracterised to justify the psychiatric referral.

“This isn’t a diagnosis - these are symptoms stemming from a spinal disc herniation and chronic pain. The state had this information from the outset, but ignored her health for months. Now that the investigation is ending, they’re using this to extend her detention under a different guise.”

Gabodze also said the move was intended to stigmatise the activist and remove her from the public eye.

“Psychiatric facilities in Georgia carry a heavy social stigma. This is about discrediting her activism and sending a message to others who dare to challenge the authorities.”

Datashvili was arrested on 20 June in connection with an alleged altercation at Tbilisi City Court on 9 June. She is charged with assaulting a public official during the performance of their duties under Article 353^2, Part 3 of the Georgian Criminal Code - a charge that carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison or a fine.

Datashvili was an active participant of pro-European protests against halted EU integration.