TBILISI, DFWatch–Several high-profile Georgian journalists, activists and opposition politicians have been summoned to court for allegedly insulting public officials online.
TV anchors Vakho Sanaia and Vika Bukia, opposition figure Elene Khoshtaria and activist Ana Subeliani are among those who have faced court hearings. Specifically. this deals with Facebook posts considered offensive to ruling party MP Mariam Lashkhi, some calling her a “slave”.
Among the opposition, the hearings are seen as another sign of an increasing authoritarianism. “This is how dying regimes behave,” said Giorgi Sioridze of the Strong Georgia party. Coalition leader Nugzar Tsiklauri warned that when citizens face legal threats for expressing their opinions on Facebook, it is reminiscent of a dictatorship.
The government maintains that the language used online reflects an “imported hate campaign”. Parliamentary Speaker Shalva Papuashvili blamed foreign influence for orchestrating and financing what he calls a “coordinated campaign of hatred”. The court hearings are not expected to lead to jail sentences, only administrative fines.
Public Defender Levan Ioseliani argued that expressing strong opinions, even in rough language, is protected free speech, but he cautioned against hate speech and personal attacks.
After her hearing, journalist Eka Mishveladze slammed the trial as “a circus, a farce, and a storm of lies.” Other well-known figures charged in the case are Tamar Chergoleishvili, Aleko Elisashvili, Interpressnews reported.
The controversy comes as another activist, Mate Devadze, is wait to know the verdict in his case, potentially leading to seven years in prison.
Leave A Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.