Shalva Esartia, an anti-government protester from the western Georgian town of Zugdidi who was on criminal trial over alleged “repeated” commission of an administrative offence – a charge introduced as part of tightened anti-protest laws in October – was released after entering a plea agreement.
Esartia, who took part in non-stop protests in Zugdidi, left custody on June 18, Publika reported, citing his defense lawyer as noting that the protester was given a 3-month sentence, which he had already served. Videos show him walking free from prison.
The protester was detained on March 17 after police stopped him in a car, accusing him of failing to yield to a pedestrian. He was subsequently detained and initially charged administratively with “disobeying a lawful police order,” but the charge was reclassified as a criminal offense the following day, as he was reportedly subjected to administrative penalties on similar charges twice before. His supporters dismissed the case as “absurd” and a classic example of “repression.”
Repeating the “police disobedience” act a third time turns it into a criminal offense under legislative amendments passed by the disputed Parliament in October 2025 to crack down on protests. Those charged face up to a year in prison if convicted.
Esartia’s arrest marked the second case where criminal charges were brought against a protester for “repeated commission” of an administrative offence. The first case concerned Zurab Menteshashvili, 61, who was sentenced to nine months in prison in May after being found guilty of “repeated road blockage” in Tbilisi.
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