The Coalition for Change expresses its solidarity and support for Vakho Sanaia, a journalist with Formula TV.

According to a statement released by the opposition coalition, Vakho Sanaia is being punished for his “defiance and steadfastness.”

“Sentencing a person to prison for an opinion expressed on social media is the Ivanishvili regime’s latest declaration of its intention to establish a Russian dictatorship in the country. Vakho Sanaia is being punished for his defiance and steadfastness, which clearly shows what the regime is actually afraid of: our steadfastness and defiance.

“It is clear that the regime will not be able to silence free speech, kill people’s freedom of expression, and ultimately declare Georgia a Russian province.

“Support and solidarity with Vakho Sanaia, Formula TV, and everyone whose freedom is threatened by the regime,” the statement reads.

It should be recalled that 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.