Georgian Dream seeks to criminalize public criticism of judges

Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream, is pushing forward a new bill that significantly tightens restrictions on freedom of expression by criminalizing so-called “indecent behavior” and verbal “disrespect” toward judges — not only inside courtrooms but in any public space.

Under the proposed amendments to the Law on Common Courts, any individual could face criminal liability for expressing disrespect toward a judge in connection with their status — whether through words, gestures, or any perceived indecent action. The rule would apply regardless of the setting, including public gatherings, protests, or social media.

Currently, contempt of court applies only to parties involved in court proceedings. The new law would expand this to include any citizen, vastly increasing the scope of who could be prosecuted.

If passed, such acts would be punishable under Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which stipulates:

- Disrespecting the court can be penalized with a fine, 180–240 hours of community service, or up to one year in prison;

- Insulting a constitutional court member, judge, or juror may result in a fine, 1–2 years of corrective labor, or up to 2 years of imprisonment.

Georgian Dream intends to adopt the bill under an accelerated procedure. The move comes amid ongoing pro-European protests across the country, with critics accusing the government of increasingly cracking down on dissent.

In February 2025, the ruling party already adopted a law allowing administrative punishment for insulting public officials — a rule that also applies to posts and comments on social media.