Khatiashvili: Prosecutor's Decision Against Chubinidze Contradicts European Court Criteria

Lawyer Zaza Khatiashvili says the prosecutor's decision against Domenti (Dito) Chubinidze, a journalist for "Asavali-Dasavali", contradicts the criteria established by the European Court of Human Rights and represents an attempt to destroy a free profession, journalism, in the country. Chubinidze has been detained on sabotage charges.

Khatiashvili states that Georgia's history does not recall a case in which a journalist was detained over information voiced by a respondent. According to him, Chubinidze was arrested over a newspaper material published by him. He recorded this material from the respondent, and the prosecution did not raise any questions with the latter about where the information provided to the newspaper came from.

The lawyer claims that prosecutors are lying when they say Chubinidze was not detained for his journalistic activity. According to Khatiashvili, no such charge has been seen in any autocratic country. In his assessment, the regime has decided to imprison every critically minded journalist.

In the wording of the charge, the prosecutor states: "Based on fabricated facts voiced by his respondent, Domenti Chubinidze claimed that the Prime Minister of Georgia, through a secret agreement concluded with a neighboring state, transferred to the Republic of Azerbaijan a part of the territory of Georgia - part of the David Gareja monastery complex. By this action, Domenti Chubinidze intended to carry out sabotage to the detriment of the legitimate interests of the Georgian state, thereby hindering the normal functioning of the State Delimitation and Demarcation Commission of Georgia's state border."

Khatiashvili believes the charge affects the freedom of expression of all journalists. According to him, with such a formulation a state agency could, after any interview, declare that the journalist is obstructing its work and detain the journalist for treason. The lawyer calls this a dangerous precedent.

The lawyer refers to the European Court's precedent decisions in "Handyside v. the United Kingdom" and "Thorgeir Thorgeirson v. Iceland". In his explanation, freedom of expression protects not only views that are acceptable, neutral or popular in society, but also statements that may shock, offend or disturb certain parts of society. According to Khatiashvili, this is one of the fundamental principles of a democratic society.

In his statement, the lawyer mentions Nodar Meladze's statement from yesterday, which concerned attempts to destroy the journalism profession, and calls on journalists: "Wake up!"

The Prosecutor General's Office detained Domenti (Dito) Chubinidze, a journalist for "Asavali-Dasavali", on charges of treason, namely sabotage. According to the agency, "Since February 2026, Dito Chubinidze has systematically spread false and disinformation information using various media outlets and social platforms". Chubinidze has been placed in pre-trial detention as a preventive measure.