Georgian opposition figure Melia charged with contempt of court

The leader of the opposition "Coalition for Change" Nika Melia, who is already serving a prison sentence for contempt of court, has been charged with insulting a judge.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot," on May 30, the Tbilisi City Court commuted the pretrial detention of opposition "Coalition for Change" leader Nika Melia to arrest after he failed to post bail in a case of disobeying a parliamentary investigative commission. The opposition figure stated that he had been detained and denied the opportunity to post bail. Judge Irakli Shvangiradze refused to examine the circumstances of his detention, explaining that he had not been assigned the case. In response, Melia splashed water at the judge and called him a "slave." Melia was charged with contempt of court, and in November he was sentenced to one year and six months in prison.

The Prosecutor General's Office of Georgia announced today that Melia has been charged with contempt of court again. The charges relate to an incident that occurred in the Tbilisi City Court on November 10, 2025.

"Nikanor Melia showed disrespect for the court by verbally insulting a judge," reads a statement published on the department's website. The statement notes that Melia is already serving a sentence imposed "in another criminal case," so preliminary hearings may take place soon.

The article on contempt of court, expressed in insulting a judge (Part 2 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Georgia), provides for up to two years in prison.

On November 10, the Tbilisi City Court heard Melia's administrative case, when Judge Tornike Kochkiani fined him 5,000 lari (approximately $1,855) for allegedly insulting a police officer during an arrest at Lake Lisi. "The lawyer notes that the judge did not even reprimand Melia during the hearing, and it is unclear what exactly the insult consisted of," Tbilisi_life points out.

Thus, this is already the fourth charge brought against Melia. For two previous cases (for failing to appear before the investigative commission and for throwing water at Judge Irakli Shvangiradze), he has already been sentenced to eight and 18 months in prison, respectively, and is currently serving these terms. terms.

Furthermore, Melia is charged with sabotage, which carries a prison sentence of two to four years. The "Caucasian Knot" reported that on November 6, the Georgian Prosecutor General's Office announced an investigation into crimes against the state. The suspects include Georgia's third president, Mikheil Saakashvili, Nika Melia, and six other opposition leaders. They are accused of organizing protests after the 2024 elections, hostile activity against Georgia, and calls for the overthrow of the government.