Pro-European Georgian journalist and activist, Nika Katsia, discharged from the courtroom

In a significant turn of events, journalist Nika Katsia was acquitted and released by the Georgian court system on 8 December 2024. The acquittal took place in Tbilisi, following a controversial arrest outside his home.

The arrest of Katsia had sparked allegations of political motivation, a claim that was echoed by his defence team. The prosecutors had initially requested pre-trial detention for Katsia, citing the risk of reoffending, flight, or destruction of evidence. However, these concerns were not deemed sufficient to warrant detention by the court.

The charge of drug possession, for which Katsia was arrested, was ruled unfounded, leading to his acquittal. This is the third recent case in which a court has acquitted an activist accused of drug-related offences, raising questions about the legitimacy of such charges against political figures.

While Katsia was fully cleared of all accusations, it is important to note that not all political prisoners have been cleared. On the same day, Judge Jvabe Nachkebia sentenced Saba Skhvitaridze to two years in prison. Skhvitaridze was accused of intentionally causing minor injury to Mirian Kavtaradze, head of the main investigative department of Tbilisi police.

The court ordered Katsia's immediate release from the courtroom, marking a significant victory for freedom of speech and journalistic integrity in Georgia. Judge Romeo Tkeshelashvili cleared Giorgi Akhobadze under similar circumstances earlier this year.

In a separate incident, on 3 September, Judge Nino Galustashvili sentenced 11 protesters to two years in prison under the article on organising group actions that disturb public order. This sentencing serves as a reminder that while progress is being made, the fight for justice and fair treatment for political prisoners continues.

As the pro-European protests in Georgia continue, the acquittal and release of Nika Katsia serve as a beacon of hope for those advocating for democracy and transparency in the Georgian judicial system.

Pro-European Georgian journalist and activist, Nika Katsia, discharged from the courtroom