The detention of 23-year-old student Megi (Irma) Diasamidze has sparked public outrage and raised concerns about political repression in Georgia’s pre-election environment. Charged with damaging a campaign banner for the ruling “Georgian Dream – Democratic Georgia” party, her arrest is being criticized as politically motivated and legally unfounded.
Her lawyer, Shota Tutberidze, described her as a “prisoner of conscience,” claiming her detention serves the ruling party’s electoral agenda.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Diasamidze was one of three people arrested following incidents on Melikishvili Avenue on September 8–9. She is accused of damaging a banner promoting Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze and charged under Article 187 of the Criminal Code, related to property damage causing “significant harm.”
Legal experts disagree. Nana Kurdovanidze, Chair of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), said the action reportedly involved a temporary, non-permanent inscription and does not meet the threshold of criminal damage.
“If something can be cleaned off easily and causes no lasting harm, it’s not a crime,” she said. “At most, the owner could pursue a civil claim for cleaning costs.”
Kurdovanidze also pointed out that the banner may have been illegally placed. It was reportedly hung on the facade of the historic “Hotel Georgia,” a registered cultural heritage site, where campaign materials are prohibited by law. This could make the ruling party—not Diasamidze—responsible for a legal violation.
Tutberidze criticized the manner of Diasamidze’s arrest, calling it a “ridiculous special operation.” He said she was detained while traveling, in a staged roadside stop involving a decoy minibus. Her phone was confiscated, and she was taken without being informed of the charges. He described her treatment—cuffed behind her back for nine hours—as “inhuman,” and said she was denied access to a lawyer until hours later.
“This isn’t justice—it’s political theater,” he said. “But Megi is strong and maintains her innocence.”
In response, Mayor Kaladze defended the arrest, saying the law applies equally to all. He denied the banner was illegally placed, stating it was authorized by the property owner.
“They won’t stop us,” Kaladze said. “We are continuing the election campaign.”
By Team GT
