Journalist Vakho Sanaia detained outside his home

Journalist Vakho Sanaia was detained outside his home. Law enforcement officers went to Sanaya’s residence after the judge ruled to sentence him to 14 days of administrative detention.

Vakho Sanaia did not attend today’s court hearing.

Before his detention, he told journalists that he had no intention of remaining silent.

“There is no circumstance in which I will restrict my freedom of speech,” Sanaia said.

For reference, today the Tbilisi City Court sentenced journalist Vakho Sanaia to 14 days of administrative detention over a social media post concerning Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and MP Vladimir Bozhadze. The decision was issued by Judge Zviad Tsekvava. The Hate Speech Combat Unit established at the Ministry of Internal Affairs had filed the case with the Tbilisi City Court for a legal response to the post.