TV host Misha Mshvildadze fined ₾4,000 over Facebook post criticizing Parliament Speaker

Tbilisi City Court has fined well-known TV host Misha Mshvildadze GEL 4,000 ($1460) for a Facebook post deemed insulting toward Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Georgian Parliament.

The verdict was delivered by Judge Manuchar Tsatsua on June 12 around 19:30. Mshvildadze did not attend the hearing, with his lawyer citing scheduling conflicts.

According to the Interior Ministry’s representative, Sopio Papaskiri, Mshvildadze insulted Papuashvili using “a barrage of obscene language,” which, according to the prosecution, "does not fall under the protection of freedom of expression" and was aimed solely at defaming a high-ranking official.

The controversial post, published on February 8, featured images from Papuashvili’s Facebook page accompanied by harsh and vulgar commentary. This case was prosecuted under Article 173¹⁶ of the Administrative Offenses Code, which specifically penalizes “verbal abuse, insults, or other degrading conduct” directed at public officials in relation to their professional duties.

The law allows for a fine between GEL 1,500 and 4,000 or up to 45 days of administrative detention. In case of a repeat offense, the penalties increase. Mshvildadze's case was one of 18 similar proceedings held at Tbilisi City Court on June 12 related to alleged verbal abuse of public officials by journalists, activists, and opposition figures.