Partnership for Human Rights (PHR): Nino Datashvili complains of severe pain, and the intensity of that pain has increased over recent years. In addition to her diagnosis and acute pain, a 2019 medical document notes that she has psycho-emotional lability — emotional lability is not a diagnosis. It is a symptom and has no connection whatsoever to one’s sanity.

This is stated in a statement released by Partnership for Human Rights, responding to the court’s decision to order a psychiatric evaluation of Nino Datashvili at the request of the Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the organization, this symptom can develop in any person, but in Nino Datashvili’s case, it is being used as part of a targeted campaign against activists.

PHR also addressed misinformation aired by the TV station Imedi, which claimed that there are references in Datashvili’s medical records to psychological instability.

“A 2019 medical document clearly states that Nino Datashvili has an intervertebral disc injury, radiculopathy, and a disc herniation. She reports suffering from severe pain, and the intensity of that pain has worsened in recent years. Alongside this diagnosis and the severe pain, the document notes that Nino has psycho-emotional lability.

Emotional lability is not a medical diagnosis. It is a symptom that has no connection to sanity or mental competence.

This situation is part of a deliberate campaign against activists. The use of such an extremely unlawful method could be applied to anyone, because emotional lability can occur in any person under certain external conditions.

The baseless attempt to place Nino Datashvili in a psychiatric facility is an effort to discredit her and, according to the European Convention on Human Rights, constitutes a form of torture.

We call on Imedi TV to refrain from misleading the public.

PHR is publishing this medical document with Nino Datashvili’s consent,” the statement reads.

For context, Partnership for Human Rights previously reported that the Prosecutor’s Office requested a psychiatric evaluation for the detained activist, and the court approved the motion.

Nino Datashvili was arrested on June 20 in connection with an incident that occurred on June 9. She is charged under Article 353¹, Part 3 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which refers to assault on a public official during the performance of official duties. The charge carries a penalty of either a fine or imprisonment for a term of 4 to 7 years.