Participants in the attack on Publika journalists were convicted in Tbilisi.

The Tbilisi City Court found Levan Zardiashvili and Saba Mindiaashvili guilty of obstructing the professional activities of Publika journalists. They were fined, and Zardiashvili was also sentenced to five years probation.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", in early March, the Tbilisi City Court set bail at three thousand lari (about 1,100 dollars) for Saba Mindiaashvili and Levan Zardiashvili, who were accused of attacking journalists from Publika last autumn.

At today's court session, the court heard the closing arguments of the prosecution and defense. Zardiashvili did not admit guilt, and his lawyer Tamta Djaniashvili claimed during the trial that the phone belonged to her client and he was only trying to retrieve his property. The defense also stated that he did not know that Mikadze was a journalist, Publika reports today.

According to lawyer Djaniashvili, the defendant not only did not interfere with Mikadze's journalistic activities but also had no intention or desire to do so. "This is a case about a person who has actually become a victim of unfounded and baseless accusations. A person who is a victim in this case," she said about Zardiashvili.

Saba Mindiaashvili admitted his guilt in court. As a result, Judge Georgy Gelashvili fined Mindiaashvili three thousand lari (about 1,150 dollars) and Zardiashvili four thousand lari (about 1,540 dollars). Additionally, since Zardiashvili committed a new crime during his probation, he was also sentenced to five years probation and an additional fine of 3,938 lari (about 1,500 dollars).

It should be noted that in August, the Georgian Communications Commission fined the opposition TV channel TV Pirveli for bias and subjectivity in news reporting. In July, the opposition channel Formula was also fined for phrases that officials deemed evaluative judgments and violations of the principle of impartiality.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that the Tbilisi City Court sentenced journalist "Formula" Vakho Sanaya to 30 days of administrative arrest for publications on social media concerning the Chairman of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili and Deputy Vladimir Bozhadze.

Participants in protests in Georgia since November 28, 2024, have been demanding new parliamentary elections and the release of political prisoners. Law enforcement has conducted harsh dispersals of protests, using tear gas and water cannons, and detained protesters. During the protests, more than 1,000 people have faced administrative prosecution. "Caucasian Knot" has prepared a report on "The Main Points on the Persecution of Protest Participants in Georgia".