European Court of Human Rights to review case of Georgian activist Irakli Miladze
The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has accepted the case of Georgian activist Irakli Miladze. The case concerns freedom of expression online and administrative proceedings brought against the activist.
The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) asked the court to refer Miladze’s case to the Grand Chamber in August 2026.
According to GYLA chair Tamar Oniani, this means that until the Grand Chamber delivers its judgment, Georgia’s city and appeals courts cannot cite the case as a precedent when restricting freedom of expression on social media.
Irakli Miladze case
In 2022, authorities fined activist Irakli Miladze for using profanity in a video in which he criticised Tbilisi’s transport policy. He directed some of the offensive language at the city mayor, municipal officials and police officers.
Authorities brought the case under Article 166 of the Code of Administrative Offences, which covers petty hooliganism, including the use of obscene language in public places. Tbilisi City Court ordered Miladze to pay 2,000 lari [~$740], but the Court of Appeal reduced the fine to 500 lari [~$185].
On 19 May 2026, the ECHR’s Fourth Section ruled on the case and found that the authorities had not violated Miladze’s freedom of expression, which Article 10 of the Convention protects.
The court found that Miladze’s statements did not form part of a public debate and therefore did not warrant the same level of protection for freedom of expression as statements on matters of political or public interest.
The court also considered the size of the fine and its consequences, noting that the sanction did not prevent Miladze from continuing his civic and political activities. At the same time, the court confirmed that the concept of a “public space” also covers online platforms when they are widely accessible to the public.
The case will now be reconsidered, but this does not mean that the Grand Chamber has already found that Miladze’s rights were violated. In its final judgment, it may uphold the previous ruling or take a different position.
The key question will be whether Miladze’s statements on TikTok were protected by freedom of expression and whether imposing an administrative fine on him was justified.
According to GYLA, the significance of referring the case to the Grand Chamber is further underscored by the fact that, after the May 2026 ruling, the Interior Ministry established a so-called “censorship department”. GYLA says its activities are linked to administrative cases brought against citizens over opinions they post on social media.
Irakli Miladze case
