Activist and civic education teacher Nino Datashvili, arrested for allegedly assaulting a bailiff, spoke out during her court hearing, denouncing what she described as politically motivated repression and an attempt to silence her through forced psychiatric evaluation.
“I don’t have any mental diagnosis, but you’ve revived the Soviet nightmare for people and strengthened the stigma,” Datashvili said, calling the order for a forced psychiatric examination a shameful episode in Georgia’s modern history.
According to her, the ruling was made without her participation in court, and the move was part of a broader campaign targeting activists and lawyers. “Neurosurgeons don’t issue psychiatric diagnoses. As a teacher, I’ve referred many young people to psychiatrists—I have no issue with mental health care. The issue is how it was used against me.”
Datashvili also accused the Prosecutor’s Office of violating her privacy: “We didn’t want to publicize my medical documents, but the prosecution made them public. They tried to intimidate me, thinking I would stay silent and set a precedent for others. That’s why we spoke out.”
She emphasized that despite her ongoing health issues, including severe pain and the need for surgery, her requests for medical attention, including an MRI, have been ignored. “If they truly saw mental instability, why didn’t they also see that I urgently needed surgery?” she asked, noting that she has submitted numerous complaints to the General Inspectorate and the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Datashvili was arrested on June 20 in connection with an incident that took place on June 9. She is charged under Part 3 of Article 353 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which relates to assaulting a public servant during the performance of official duties. The charge carries a penalty of four to seven years in prison.
Datashvili vowed to continue seeking justice, even if it means turning to the European Court of Human Rights.
Image: IPN
