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📍 Tbilisi, July 13, 2025 — The sentencing of 19-year-old protester Saba Jikia to four and a half years in prison has sparked international concern over fair trial standards and the treatment of minors in Georgia’s judicial system. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have criticized the proceedings, citing procedural irregularities and failure to apply juvenile justice safeguards.
⚖️ Trial Concerns Jikia was convicted of assaulting a police officer during anti-government protests in late 2024. The prosecution relied on video footage that defense lawyers argued was inconclusive and failed to identify the officer involved. The defense was reportedly denied the opportunity to cross-examine the prosecution’s video expert, raising questions about due process.
Under Georgian law, individuals aged 18 to 21 are eligible for youth justice measures, including reduced sentencing and restorative alternatives. However, these provisions were not applied in Jikia’s case, despite his age at the time of arrest.
🗣️ Political Context Jikia’s arrest followed mass protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has faced criticism for its pro-Russia stance and alleged erosion of democratic norms. The European Parliament recently condemned Georgia’s political climate, with Special Rapporteur Rasa Juknevičienė describing the country as a “brutal dictatorship”.
📜 Civil Liberties Under Pressure The sentencing comes amid broader concerns over freedom of expression and civil society restrictions. A newly enacted “foreign agents” law imposes burdensome reporting requirements on NGOs receiving international funding, echoing similar legislation in Slovakia and Hungary.
For more details, see the full report from JURIST and Amnesty International’s statement.
