TV host gets 30-day detention in Georgia over Facebook post: reactions

Journalist jailed over Facebook post in Georgia

Popular Georgian TV host Vakho Sanaia was sentenced to 30 days’ administrative detention on 19 October over social media posts deemed insulting to government officials.

The lawsuit was filed by the Department for Monitoring Hate Speech and Aggressive Statements, which recently became part of the Interior Ministry. Sanaia was accused of insulting Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and MP Vladimir (Lado) Bozhadze in his Facebook posts and videos.

This is the third sentence handed down to the Formula TV host on similar charges since July this year, and his second term of detention.

Sanaia did not attend the court hearing, saying that prosecuting him for his posts was absurd. Police arrested him at his home.

“They want to force society into silence, but society will never be silent. We will overthrow this regime, however long it takes. This will certainly end in our victory,” Sanaia said as he was being arrested.

Why was Vakho Sanaia punished

The case centres on three social media posts about parliament speaker Shalva Papuashvili and ruling-party MP Vladimir Bozhadze.

The posts included censored profanities referring to the two politicians.

In a post on 22 July, shortly before he was detained in an earlier case, Sanaia wrote: “For 14 days, don’t call Shalva [Papuashvili] and Lado [Bozhadze] [censored insult] – when I get out, I’ll deal with that.”

In another post on 5 August, he referred to his earlier remarks, writing: “I wrote that you shouldn’t call Papuashvili and Bozhadze [censored insult], and they arrested me.”

On 24 September, Sanaia published a video address whose title also contained a censored profane reference to Papuashvili. Sanaia has described the proceedings as an attempt to restrict freedom of expression.

The case is being brought under Article 173¹⁶ of Georgia’s Code of Administrative Offences, which penalises insulting a political office-holder. The provision allows for a fine of 2,500 to 6,000 lari ($930–$2,220) or administrative detention for between five and 60 days.

This is the third administrative case against Sanaia. In July, he was fined 6,000 lari and sentenced to 14 days in detention over earlier posts involving the same two politicians.

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The government agency that monitors social media

The Interior Ministry’s Division for Combating Hate Speech began operating on 1 June. It monitors public statements, including social media posts, and refers cases to court. Local media report that the unit often acts without a complaint from the person allegedly insulted. Cases brought by the division have led to dozens of fines and several detentions.

The case comes amid deteriorating relations between Georgia and the West. In November 2024, the government halted EU accession talks until 2028, triggering mass protests. Georgia has also fallen to 135th place out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ 2026 Press Freedom Index, down from 77th in 2022.

Sentence draws criticism in Georgia and abroad

European Commission spokesperson Christian Wigand has commented on the arrest of Vakho Sanaia:

“We have been very vocal in our criticism of Georgian Dream’s actions aimed at suppressing the political opposition, journalists and activists. Unfortunately, they continue to restrict civic space. The Georgian authorities must immediately release all unjustly detained politicians, journalists and activists and repeal repressive legislation.”

The Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics described the sentence as unjust, saying the authorities are using legislation and the courts to silence critical voices and restrict independent media.

“Through legislative amendments and, subsequently, the way these amendments are enforced, Georgian Dream has abandoned its obligation to tolerate criticism,” the charter said.

The Media Advocacy Coalition said the third case brought against the same journalist points to a pattern of persecution targeting critical media and dissenting voices. The coalition also expressed solidarity with the Formula TV team.

PEN Georgia called for the detention ruling to be overturned immediately. “In a country where journalists and citizens are jailed for criticising the government, and free speech becomes grounds for punishment, democracy no longer exists,” the organisation said.

Transparency International Georgia said Sanaia was being punished for exposing billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, founder of Georgian Dream and widely seen as Georgia’s shadow ruler, and for supporting the country’s European future.

Parliament speaker: “Obscenity is not freedom of expression”

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said obscene language in public was unacceptable and could carry legal consequences.

“Obscenity has nothing to do with expressing an opinion and is not protected by freedom of expression,” he said.

Papuashvili said he did not follow individual cases. According to him, the Interior Ministry’s unit operates automatically, and those targeted often learn about decisions only after they have been made.

He also cited Germany, saying people can face criminal charges for insulting others on social media, including following a personal complaint by the chancellor.

Papuashvili also criticised the EU ambassador, claiming that “he himself promotes hatred” and that “some people may try to win his favour.”

“If he has the audacity to use obscene language in public, he should also have the courage to face the consequences,” Papuashvili said of Sanaia.

News in Georgia