Journalist Vakho Sanaia sentenced to 30 days in detention

Journalist's arrest and the court's decision

Judge Tornike Kochkiani sentenced journalist Vakho Sanaia to 30 days of administrative detention. The Ministry of Internal Affairs held Sanaia accountable for posts published on social media, which, according to the agency, constituted an insult to political officials. Interpressnews

Assessments by the President and organizations

President of Georgia Salome Zourabichvili assessed what happened as a "desperate attempt of an authoritarian regime" or a "step." According to Zourabichvili, Georgia is repeating the "Moscow scenario," during which "Facebook posts" are declared a crime and journalists end up in detention. The President also noted that the imprisonment of Vakho Sanaia is an alarming manifestation of authoritarianism. Interpressnews+3

The Charter of Journalistic Ethics responded to the issue, stating that this decision by the authorities serves to suppress critical voices and indicates a democratic backslide in Georgia. TV Pirveli