According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), the court decision concerning journalist Vakho Sanaia is yet another clear example of the illegitimate restriction of citizens’ expression in the public sphere and the creation of an environment of censorship and self-censorship.

The organization said the court decision clearly contradicts constitutional and European human rights standards.

“The imprisonment of well-known journalist and Formula TV employee Vakho Sanaia for exercising his fundamental right to freedom of expression comes amid a restrictive and repressive environment targeting the media and, specifically, Formula TV. This includes repressive measures such as a civil lawsuit/court decision aimed at preventing public participation (SLAPP) and, in parallel, a criminal investigation into the same case over a report prepared by Formula TV.

“Today’s court decision is yet another clear example of the illegitimate restriction of citizens’ expression in the public sphere and the creation of an environment of censorship and self-censorship. It clearly contradicts constitutional and European human rights standards, which representatives of Georgian Dream and the Ministry of Internal Affairs deliberately distort and misrepresent.

“It is clear that freedom of expression is being subjected to mass, systematic control through forms and, among other things, legislation that readily allows for arbitrary application, may, in its severity, be comparable to criminal liability, creates institutional mechanisms of systematic censorship, and disregards safeguards for the protection of freedom of expression,” the statement reads.

For reference, today, the Tbilisi City Court sentenced journalist Vakho Sanaia to 14 days of administrative detention over a social media post concerning Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and MP Vladimir Bozhadze. The decision was issued by Judge Zviad Tsekvava. The Division for Combating Hate Speech, established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs to respond legally to the post, had appealed to the Tbilisi City Court.