Protester Who Climbed onto Police Car Faces Up to 7 Years in Prison
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, October 27, 2025
Tbilisi City Court has ordered the pre-trial detention of Tamar Lortkipanidze, a protester who climbed onto the roof of a police car during the October 22 rally on Rustaveli Avenue. Prosecutors accuse her of damaging the vehicle and assaulting a taxi driver, charges that carry a possible prison sentence of four to seven years.
According to the Prosecutor's Office, "It was established that on the evening of October 22, 2025, on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi, the accused struck a taxi driver in the facial area, as a result of which the victim sustained an injury." The statement added that Lortkipanidze climbed onto a police car and repeatedly kicked it, causing 3,300 GEL in damage.
Lortkipanidze has been charged with "violence causing physical pain" under Article 126 and with an "attack on a police officer's vehicle in connection with the officer's official duties" under Article 353¹ of Georgia's Criminal Code. The Interior Ministry had initially accused her of aggravated hooliganism.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show a woman walking on top of a police car during the demonstration.
The incident occurred near the Parliament building, where protesters have gathered nightly for more than 330 consecutive days as part of ongoing pro-EU and anti-government rallies. The October 22 protest was held in solidarity with journalists after jailed reporter Mzia Amaghlobeli received the Sakharov Prize and following the arrests of three opposition Formula TV journalists accused of blocking the road.
Police detained about 30 protesters that night while clearing Rustaveli Avenue. All except Lortkipanidze were charged with administrative offenses.
The arrests come shortly after the Georgian Dream party introduced stricter rules on demonstrations. Under the new regulations, blocking roads or covering one's face during rallies can result in immediate administrative detention, while repeat violations may lead to criminal charges carrying a sentence of up to one year in prison.
