Strasbourg Court Accepts for Consideration Case of Nino Datashvili's Detention and Forced Psychiatric Examination

The European Court of Human Rights has begun considering the case of Nino Datashvili's pre-trial detention and forced psychiatric examination. This is reported by the organization Partnership for Human Rights (PHR).

According to the organization, the court will examine the case within the framework of Article 5, paragraphs 1 and 3, and Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

On June 9, 2025, Nino Datashvili went to the Tbilisi City Court to attend the trial of civil activists. She became a victim of physical violence by Madatov supporters when she was forced to leave the courthouse.

On June 20, she was detained by a court order and charged under Part 3 of Article 353² of the Criminal Code (assault on a public official in the performance of official duties). On June 21, she was placed in pre-trial detention as a preventive measure, without considering the possibility of bail. On June 25, the Court of Appeals declared the complaint against detention inadmissible.

On July 31, the court, upon a motion from the prosecution, ordered a stationary forensic psychiatric examination. The defense had challenged its legality. In the penitentiary facility, Datashvili underwent an outpatient psychiatric examination without being informed and without her consent.

PHR and Validity Foundation applied to the European Court on October 24, 2025. On October 29, due to a sharp deterioration of her health condition, Datashvili's detention was changed to bail of 5,000 GEL.

"The final decision adopted by the ECtHR will be important for the interpretation of the right to liberty at the national level. Strengthening legal standards that exclude the use of psychiatric examination against a defendant without proper medical and legal grounds, with the aim of pressuring them, aggravating their legal position or unjustifiably restricting their rights, is especially important," the organization said in its published statement.

PHR and Validity Foundation are providing legal assistance to Nino Datashvili.