Arrested Georgian teacher Datashvili released on bail

Tbilisi protest participant and activist Nino Datashvili has been released on bail due to deteriorating health.

"Caucasian Knot" reported that on June 20, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported the detention of 42-year-old activist and social studies teacher Nino Datashvili, accused in a criminal case involving an attack on bailiffs in the Tbilisi City Court building. Datashvili was placed in custody, and in early August, by court order, she was forcibly sent for a psychiatric examination. Following this examination, the activist's health sharply deteriorated, and she has been unable to participate in court hearings since early September.

The court reduced Nino Datashvili's pretrial detention to a more lenient measure and set bail at 5,000 lari (over $1,800). The court took into account the teacher's deteriorating health, Sova reported.

Nino Datashvili's health is critical, said lawyer Tamar Gabodze. "Imagine being unable to move your neck and limbs and being under illegal arrest. It is unacceptable for the court to deny the defense's motion for Nino Datashvili's immediate release from custody," Gabodze was quoted as saying by Georgia Online.

Before the start of the trial, the prosecutor's office filed a motion to change the pretrial detention measure. The prosecutor's office set bail at 5,000 lari and set it to be paid within 30 days. The defense agreed to the motion and presented a corresponding medical report from the Vivamedi clinic.

Datashvili participated in the court hearing remotely and thanked the prison administration for their concern for her health. "I want to thank the prison administration and the doctors. They did everything possible to improve my health, but nothing helped, and now I need two surgeries," Sputnik Georgia quotes Datashvili as saying.