Court sentences activists against spy law to four years in prison – Civil Georgia

On September 16, Tbilisi City Court Judge Mikheil Kinkolia found Giorgi Shanidze, an activist against the law on foreign agents and former soldier who fought for Ukraine in the war against Russia, guilty under Article 265 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which criminalizes the illegal cultivation of drug crops, and Article 187 – damaging surveillance cameras. Shanidze was sentenced to four years in prison.

Shanidze was arrested during protests against the law. Initially, the Prosecutor General brought charges against him under the first part of Article 187 of the Criminal Code. Later, he was also accused of illegally growing or cultivating plants containing narcotic substances. On July 28, the court rejected his request for release on bail.

The hearing took place against the backdrop of a protest rally in support of Shanidze outside the court. Shanidze's supporters, announcing the protest rally, said: “Giorgi Shanidze was chosen by the Russian authorities of Georgia as the 'best victim' among the citizens fighting against Russian law, so that with his exemplary, demonstrative punishment they could intimidate the public, increase the feeling of hopelessness and injustice and strengthen their position before the elections.”

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