Penitentiary Service: poet Ratiani assigned ‘increased risk’ classification

Convicted poet Zviad Ratiani has been assigned an “increased risk” status under Georgia’s penitentiary legislation and a 2019 order of the Minister of Justice, the Special Penitentiary Service has said.

According to the agency, the decision was made by a classification commission which assessed security-related information and determined that placement in a semi-open penitentiary facility was not appropriate.

The service said the commission also considered a request reportedly made by Ratiani to serve the remainder of his sentence in solitary confinement, stating that this indicated potential risks associated with his communication with other inmates.

Officials added that the individual risk classification was carried out in accordance with legal requirements and based on available security assessments.

The Penitentiary Service noted that the decision can be appealed in Tbilisi City Court by the convicted person or their legal representative.

Zviad Ratiani was sentenced by Tbilisi City Court in October 2025 to two years in prison on charges of assaulting a police officer.