The Kutaisi City Court found nine individuals guilty of violating the law and imposed an administrative fine of 5000 GEL on each of them.

The fined individuals are: Gela Mtivlishvili – journalist, editor of Georgia’s News / Mountain News; Nino Katamadze – musician, founder of the Nino Katamadze Foundation; Vladimir Apkhazava – teacher, first recipient of the National Teacher’s Award; Khvicha Vashakhmadze – journalist; Ketevan Filauri – psychologist; Maia Tsiramua – psychologist; Irina Zarandia – civil activist; Givi Tsintzadze – member of the Lanchkhuti City Council; Eka Kuchalashvili – journalist for Kutaisi Post.

At today’s court hearing, the Ministry of Internal Affairs requested the recognition of all nine individuals as violators of the law and the imposition of fines. The individuals subject to administrative liability and their lawyers disagreed with this request.

In solidarity, colleagues and family members of the defendants gathered at the courthouse. Administrative proceedings against individuals from various sectors began on January 26, following a protest near Judge Malkhaz Okropirashvili's house in Kutaisi. The protesters were protesting the imprisonment of “Batumelebi” and “Netgazeti” founder, Maia Amaglobeli, and expressing their solidarity.

The case is being processed under the third part of Article 174¹ of the Administrative Offenses Code.