Tbilisi court fines protester amid claims of false testimony, video evidence contradictions

The Tbilisi City Court has fined protester Giorgi Chkheidze 4,000 GEL following his arrest in the court yard on April 21. The ruling was delivered today by Judge Davit Tetrauli, in a case that has sparked concerns over due process and the treatment of demonstrators in Georgia.

Chkheidze was detained shortly after attending the trial of another protester, Saba Skhvitaridze, who is being held under criminal charges. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) had requested a custodial sentence for Chkheidze, accusing him of insulting police officers during the incident.

According to the ministry, Chkheidze referred to law enforcement personnel as “slaves”- an allegation he denies. His legal team argues that the claim is not supported by evidence and that the video footage presented by the MIA contradicts the testimony of the arresting officer.

“The person lied,” said Chkheidze’s lawyer, Marika Arevadze. “He provided false information about the factual circumstances, and the video footage that the MIA has presented shows something else and contradicts the witness’s testimony.”

Only one police officer testified during the proceedings, while another key witness – Mikheil Sujashvili, who is also reportedly involved in the Skhvitaridze case – failed to appear in court due to “personal reasons.” Sujashvili is alleged to be a direct witness to physical violence against Skhvitaridze.

A video broadcast by TV Pirveli reportedly shows Chkheidze being detained without uttering any audible remarks, raising further questions about the charges brought against him.

“This is a punishment,” said Chkheidze’s second lawyer, Giorgi Kondakhashvili. “Giorgi Chkheidze has never been arrested, nor is he a lawbreaker. And now the MIA is requesting his arrest for the first time? They don’t even bother to properly close the case – they’re so confident they’ll handle it however they want.”

Chkheidze is the brother-in-law of Giorgi Okmelashvili, who is currently being held under criminal law in a separate case.

Shortly before the verdict was delivered, journalist and photojournalist Mindia Gabadze of Publika media outlet was expelled from the courtroom. Gabadze claims he was removed after questioning the judge on filming restrictions during the hearing.