Georgian journalist arrested on sabotage charges over David Gareji claims

Georgia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has arrested Domenti (Dito) Chubinidze, a representative of the newspaper Asaval-Dasavali, on charges of treason, specifically sabotage, under a court order.

In a statement on Thursday, the prosecution said that since February 2026, Chubinidze had repeatedly spread “false and disinformation-based claims” through various media outlets and social media platforms. According to the authorities, he alleged that Georgia’s prime minister had transferred part of the David Gareji monastery complex to Azerbaijan under a secret agreement with the neighbouring country.

The prosecution claimed the state borders can only be determined through international treaties or agreements with neighbouring countries, which require ratification by the Georgian Parliament. It added that authority over negotiations and decisions concerning border delimitation and demarcation rests exclusively with the government commission responsible for the process.

The agency stressed no agreement has been reached with Azerbaijan on the border section covering the David Gareji monastery complex. The prosecution argued that the legal procedures also rule out the possibility of the prime minister unilaterally transferring territory to another state.

The authorities further accused Chubinidze of repeatedly linking the death of his interviewee, Lazare Jorbenadze, to a supposed revenge killing, claiming it was connected to the alleged disclosure of incriminating information about the prime minister.

The prosecution said the claims were intended to create a public perception that Georgian territory had been transferred to a neighbouring country, and alleged that Chubinidze had deliberately engaged in sabotage to the detriment of Georgia’s lawful state interests, disrupting the normal functioning of public institutions and the government commission responsible for border delimitation and demarcation.

Chubinidze is expected to be formally charged with treason, specifically sabotage, an offence punishable by up to four years in prison, the statement said.