Georgian journalist fined after arrest in central Tbilisi

A Georgian journalist has been fined 2,500 GEL following his arrest earlier this month in Tbilisi.

Saba Sordia, a journalist with the local outlet Indigo, was detained on 6 April near the Marjanishvili metro station and charged with disobeying a police officer. The decision to impose the fine was handed down by Judge Zviad Tsekvava. Sordia has announced plans to appeal the ruling.

According to the journalist’s lawyer, Mariam Kvelashvili, police officers stopped Sordia as part of a routine “superficial search” and requested both his identification card and access to his bag.

At a court hearing on 8 April, police officer Besarion Sikharulidze testified that Sordia had been approached based on “police suspicion”.

The journalist was held in a pre-trial detention centre for 48 hours following his arrest. Speaking after his release, Sordia alleged that officers attempted to humiliate him in the patrol car, reportedly mocking him for wearing earrings and confiscating his GoPro camera