On April 9, a photo exhibition of Georgian photographers opened at Freelens Gallery in Hamburg, alongside the book Freedom. The project by 15 photographers reflects recent protests and April 9 events and runs until April 30.

Mariam Kavshbaia is a journalist whose family history spans three generations of women displaced from Abkhazia. The material explores their transition from past trauma to their current resilience and shared labor in Tbilisi. Read the full story of these three women on my Instagram page. Link below.

One of the people who was fined but didn’t know about it is Mindia Gabadze, a reporter for Publika. He was fined while working. His bank accounts are not frozen yet. #TerrorinGeorgia

The winners of the “EU Prize for Journalism 2025” in Georgia have been announced — Publika has won three EU prizes: Best Video Story — Basti Mgaloblishvili; Best Blog or Column — @mindiagabadze.bsky.social Best Documentary Photo Reflecting Common Values — Natia Leverashvili.

A young man fainted at the rally supporting Iran in Tbilisi, Georgia. A few minutes earlier, he had learned that a family member was killed during the protests in Iran. #FreeIran 📸 @mindiagabadze.bsky.social / Publika

On January 12, a protest march was held in Tbilisi in support of Mzia Amaglobeli and other citizens arrested for participating in the protests. #freeMziaAmaglobeli #Georgia #Tbilisi

It is a great honor for me to receive this award. I’m glad that the voice of independent online media is still being heard in Georgia. Thank you for your support.

🚨 Georgian Dream plans to revoke the right to vote in elections for citizens living outside Georgia's borders. Shalva Papuashvili said that "the 2024 parliamentary elections also “showed how open and brutal informational and political pressure on voters from abroad can be".

🇬🇪 #Georgia: As the Court of Appeals hears Mzia Amaglobeli's case today, we reiterate our call for her immediate release. The charges against Mzia are excessive and politically motivated, and her verdict must be overturned. #FreeMzia 📹 Video by Keti Tsulukidze

The orphan who found a mother from behind bars in Georgia’s struggle for democracy - When 30-year-old Archil Museliantsi was jailed, a stranger who met him on the streets took it upon herself to become the mother he never had.👇 oc-media.org/the-orphan-w...

For the past 3 days, the police have been preventing participants of the continuous protest from blocking the road in front of the Parliament. As a result, yesterday demonstrators drove along the same road in cars decorated with flags, honking their horns for several hours. Photos for Publika.ge

After being granted bail, teacher Nino Datashvili left prison in tears, saying everything hurts and it’s difficult to walk. She had hernia surgery in 2019 and, according to her lawyers, needs two more surgeries, including one on her neck. 📷 Mariam Qavshbaia/Pulika

Until now, release from prison, even on bail, was always a moment of joy. But Nino Datashvili’s was unbearably painful: “I can’t even feel joy… I just want to sit. Don’t hug me.. Everything hurts. I’m sorry, and thank you all.” She was tortured for four months. The state can never repay such damage.

"The way you treat us is the way you’ll be treated. This is for Mzia [Amaglobeli]." Tamar Lortkipanidze, detained after climbing onto a police car on October 22. Charged with violence and assault on a police vehicle, causing damage estimated at 3,300 GEL. She faces up to seven years in prison.

⭕️ Former PM Irakli Gharibashvili left court without speaking to the media, exiting through the back door. The court set his bail at 1 million GEL, seized his passport, and banned him from leaving the country. He has 30 days to pay the bail. 📸 Mindia Gabadze / Publika

Imprisoned journalists Andrzej Poczobut from Belarus and Mzia Amaglobeli from Georgia have been awarded the European Parliament's 2025 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

Mzia Amaglobeli, the imprisoned founder of independent Georgian media Batumelebi/Netgazeti, and Belarusian journalist Andrzej Poczobut, who is also jailed, have received the Sakharov Prize.

Journalists Vakho Sanaia and Keta Tsitskishvili were detained on the pretext of “obstructing traffic.” The court sentenced Sanaia to 6 days of administrative detention and Tsitskishvili to 5 days. This is the reality for journalists in Georgia today. Solidarity with my colleagues.

Georgian Dream’s PR chief held a briefing over Mzia Amaghlobeli’s World Press Freedom Hero award. Still can’t understand why they picked a man whose name is known only to journalists. History has already been written — propaganda can’t rewrite it. Congrats to Mzia on this well-deserved award.

Thank you to The Council of Europe’s Safety of Journalists Platform for continuously monitoring and observing developments in Georgia. Journalists in Georgia are under serious threat in every space. That is why constant observation and response are essential.

On October 4, a rally was held in #Tbilisi, #Georgia alongside the local elections. Organizer urged protesters to move toward the Presidential Palace. Some broke the gate and entered the yard. Riot police dispersed them with pepper spray, water cannons, and tear gas. Photos for Publika.ge

The Prosecutor’s Office accuses Gela Khasaia of group assault causing minor injury. He and another were arrested on Sept 29, charged under Article 118 (2), facing 4–6 years. Gela Khasaia denies it; His lawyers call the case unclear.

I spent the whole summer traveling across Georgia with families of jailed protesters, delivering newspapers with prisoners’ letters to bazaars and stations. We visited over 20 locations. I've put together a photo story from those trips. oc-media.org/letters-to-t...

Gela Khasaia’s letter from prison: “I’m fine. If the aim was to scare me, the only thing I’m afraid of is losing our country.”

Update about Gela Khasaia

Gela Khasaia, a member of the “Girchi - More Freedom” party and an active protester, was recently detained. The reason remains unknown. Friends and relatives learned about the arrest two hours later. Updates will follow after his lawyer leaves the detention facility.

After 5 months, I’m back on this platform. Covering the Georgian protests has been a tough journey for me and my colleagues. As Oct 4 local elections and a major anti-gov rally approach, I’ll post more often. Your support during this time means a lot. #Georgia #Tbilisi #Media

Family members of political prisoners are out in the streets protesting, while prisoners of conscience remain behind bars. Such is the reality on April 9, 2025. #terrorinGeorgia #Tbilisi

Four days ago, #MikhailTereshchenko, the #TASS photographer who won in one of the World Press Photo categories with his images of the Tbilisi protests, photographed the meeting between #Putin and Milorad Dodik. Shame @worldpressphoto.bsky.social!

The speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, announced the upcoming legislative review of another anti-LGBT proposal during a press conference on Friday. Read more: oc-media.org/georgian-dre...

Here is our statement about @worldpressphoto.bsky.social decision

"Awarding a photographer aligned with the Kremlin's narrative for covering anti-Russian demonstrations is not only deeply contradictory but also a direct insult to those risking their lives to oppose Russian interference in Georgia's sovereignty and future", the statement reads.

On March 22, a rally in support of the #MEGOBARIAct was held in #Tbilisi, #Georgia Photos for @publikage.bsky.social

🧵1/ Mzia Amaghlobeli’s attorneys published a statement saying that the journalist is not only being held in unlawful detention, but that the judiciary in Georgia has demonstratively stripped her of the opportunity to defend herself and prove her innocence.

Mzia Amaghlobeli represents all journalists and media representatives whose voices are being restricted in Georgia. #FreeMziaAmaglobeli Photos for Publika

Aleksandre Keshelashvili/ 25.02.2025 At Aleksandre’s trial, during his final statement, he put on a gas mask to show that the “witness police officers” were lying, as they couldn’t have seen his lips or heard him swearing during the protest on November 29, before his unfair detention.

Today, imprisoned academic Bahruz Samadov announced in court that he has started a hunger strike. Journalist Ulviyya Ali said that the court declined his lawyer's motion to release him under house arrest. Background: oc-media.org/when-advocat...

On the 38th day of the hunger strike, Mzia Amaglobeli stated: "With the help of doctors, I will try to restore my nutrition in the coming days". She also called on Temur Katamadze to end the hunger strike.

Today the winners of the #EUPrizeforJournalism2024 were announced. I am delighted that my photo received a special mention from the jury in the category Best Documentary Photo Reflecting Shared Values. I am also happy that truly deserving friends won in various categories. See more t.ly/phSYe

#Georgia: RSF condemns the outrageous complaint lodged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs against Aleksandre Keshelashvili. He is the victim! The Publika journalist was violently beaten by the police on 29/11 while covering a demonstration. Here is his recount of what happened :

1/ Today, on Feb 13, The European Parliament adopted the resolution, according to which it does not recognise the legitimacy of Georgia’s self-proclaimed government of the Georgian Dream Party.

"Free Afgan Sadygov", "Freedom to Mzia" (Amaglobeli). Both journalists are on a hunger strike in prison, Mzia for a month, Afgan for several months already in serious condition.

The MIA has filed a lawsuit against Publika journalist @AnortherAlex. On Nov 28, he was severely beaten and arrested while on duty but wasn’t taken to the police station due to his injuries. The MIA claims he committed petty hooliganism and disobeyed police orders. #TerrorinGeorgia

The Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Sadigov’s wife’s post from yesterday destroyed me. Watching someone mourn their still-living but frail husband is horrifying. Sevinc Sadigova writes that her biggest dream is for Afgan to see their children one last time and apologizes for not being able to save him.

Mate Devizde and his friends are watching as the regime speaks in jeans. It feels unusual for them to see this. The regime says that Mate’s stick left no marks on their bodies. Despite this, Mate faces 4 to 7 years in prison. Photos for Publika.ge.

"While Amaghlobeli sits in jail, those who committed brutal attacks on her media colleagues remain free." Wrote an opinion about Mzia's case. It's 27th day of her hunger strike in jail. oc-media.org/opinion-mzia...

We at OC Media relaunched fundraiser to help out media on the brink of collapse due to cuts in USAID funding as well as increased pressure from GD. Money received in February will go to those outlets who need it most urgently not to shut down. Spread the word! www.gofundme.com/f/help-media...

My friend and a reporter of #Publika, Aleksandre Keshelashvili, writes a lawyer’s number on his hand as a precaution before heading to the protest. I did the same. #terrorinGeorgia #Georgia #Media #Tbilisi 2.02.2025

🧵1/ @Publika_ge perceives Papuashvili's statement as a threat.

🎙️ This week on the Caucasus Digest: we discuss the arrest of Mzia Amaghlobeli, founder of Batumelebi and Netgazeti, who could face up to 7 years in prison for slapping Batumi's police chief — charges many argue are wildly disproportionate. 🎧 👇 oc-media.org/podcast-mzia...