Court orders pretrial detention for activist and teacher Nino Datashvili over alleged assault on bailiff

On June 21, Tbilisi City Court judge Eka Barbakadze ordered pretrial detention for civic activist and teacher Nino Datashvili, who is charged with assaulting a bailiff during the performance of their duties. The judge issued the ruling immediately, without deliberation.

According to the prosecutor, the detention was necessary due to the perceived risks of escape, reoffending, and influencing witnesses. The prosecution argued that Datashvili's alleged actions were “socially dangerous” and requested detention on grounds of “persistently criminal behavior.”

Datashvili’s defense lawyer rejected these claims, asserting that the prosecution's request aimed to discredit the defendant and lacked sufficient evidence to justify such restrictive measures. “Each ground for detention requires strong evidence,” the lawyer stated.

Datashvili herself claimed she should be considered a co-victim in the incident. “For three days I couldn’t get out of bed because of the pain… I had bruises and scratches all over my body,” she said. She denied any intent to flee, describing herself as a law-abiding citizen.

The investigation is being conducted under Article 353, part 3 of Georgia’s Criminal Code, which carries a sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison or a fine.

The charges stem from an altercation that took place on June 9 in the lobby of Tbilisi City Court between Datashvili and representatives of the court’s security service. According to officials, Datashvili was asked to leave a restricted area. She initially refused verbally, leading to a physical confrontation. Video footage shows multiple security officers forcibly removing her from the building.