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Persecuted in Georgia: protests, fines, 'foreign agents'

Draft First minutes: what human rights defenders usually advise

Persecuted in Georgia: protests and 'foreign agents'

Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.

  • Blocking a road: a 5,000 lari fine and up to 60 days' detention; with unpaid fines, a repeat offence can mean jail. Rights groups advise appealing every ruling and keeping video.
  • Beatings during arrests are common. Record injuries at once: doctor, photos, complaint. This is the basis for a future ECHR case.
  • An 'unauthorised' foreign grant can mean up to 6 years in prison, applied retroactively; 12 NGOs have had accounts frozen. Lawyers advise reviewing all of an organisation's grants in advance.
  • Foreigners, including Russians, risk expulsion for taking part in protests, and for some that means being sent to Russia.
  • Where to turn: the Transparency International Georgia legal centre, GYLA (strategic cases), Human Rights Center; human rights defenders — Front Line Defenders.

current as of September 25. More: HRW: new laws devastate civic groups; HRW: laws that criminalise peaceful protest

Who helps

8 organisations

Georgian Young Lawyers' Association (GYLA)

One of Georgia's oldest human rights groups: strategic litigation, defence of people detained at protests, ECHR applications.

Since 14 March 2026 its general free legal aid is suspended: GYLA runs in 'crisis mode' and takes only strategic cases. For a free consultation, try the Transparency International Georgia legal centre.

Georgia

Front Line Defenders

Emergency support for human rights defenders at risk: protection grants, secure contact, publicity and advocacy after detention.

For people targeted for peaceful human rights work, including activists and journalists.

If Telegram doesn't open: protection grants

worldwide
Get in touch frontlinedefenders.org

Human Rights Center (HRIDC)

Georgian human rights group since 1996: free court representation for victims, protest monitoring, protection of journalists and defenders.

The site is updated (statement from July 2026), but we could not confirm the free legal aid service is running now — please check.

Georgia

Equality Movement

The largest LGBTQ+ community organisation in the South Caucasus: lawyer, psychologist, social worker, doctor, HIV testing.

Georgia has had an anti-'LGBT propaganda' law since 2024. The latest news on the site is from November 2025; check that services are running.

Georgia
Get in touch equality.ge

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Assistance to journalists and media: grants, legal support, publicity for persecution.

Designated 'undesirable' in Russia since 2025: if you are a Russian citizen or travel there, factor in the risk.

worldwide undesirable

Lawyers for political cases →

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