The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg upheld the position of the Ministry of Justice in the case of Miladze v. Georgia, confirming that publicly made insulting, obscene, and degrading statements directed at public officials are not protected under the right to freedom of expression.

The case concerned a video published on the social media platform TikTok in 2022, in which the applicant, civil activist Irakli Miladze, used obscene and insulting language toward the Mayor of Tbilisi, City Hall employees, and police officers. As a result, the national courts imposed a fine of 500 GEL, the minimum penalty provided for by law.

The Strasbourg Court unanimously held that the applicant’s statements did not amount to political criticism or the expression of views on a matter of public interest. According to the Court’s assessment, the language used was intended primarily to humiliate and insult public officials.

The Court also agreed with the reasoning of the national courts, noting that they had properly distinguished between harsh political criticism, which is protected in a democratic society, and personal insults, which are not. The judgment further emphasized that the sanction imposed on the applicant was minimal and proportionate, as he received only the lowest fine available under the law.

Today’s ruling by the Strasbourg Court reaffirmed an important principle: freedom of expression is one of the fundamental values of a democratic society and protects even strong and offensive criticism; however, it does not extend to humiliating or personally insulting statements directed at others, including public officials and civil servants.

The judgment further underscores that the state is entitled to protect political officials and public servants from unjustified verbal abuse and insults, ensuring that they are able to perform their duties in an environment free from attacks that undermine their dignity.

The Court’s assessment once again highlights the fundamental importance of freedom of expression, while clearly establishing that the exercise of this right — particularly on the internet and social media platforms — must not infringe upon the dignity and rights of others.

A ceremonial event marking the 30th anniversary of the Georgian notariat and summarizing the 30-year history of the Chamber of Notaries of Georgia was opened by the Minister of Justice of Georgia, Paata Salia.

The event highlighted the key stages in the institutional development of the Georgian notariat, including the establishment of the legal status, powers, and professional responsibilities of notaries. Particular attention was given to future plans and strategic visions, as well as to the role of notaries in safeguarding the country’s legal security.

Georgian notaries were also congratulated on the anniversary by Richard Bock, Honorary Notary of the Federal Chamber of Notaries of Germany, and Dilshod Ashurov, President of the Chamber of Notaries of Uzbekistan.

At the conclusion of the event, Paata Salia, Deputy Minister Lana Morgoshia, and Chairperson of the Board of the Chamber of Notaries Ekaterine Nandoshvili presented special certificates to notaries with 30 years of service, as well as to long-serving employees of the Chamber of Notaries.

The anniversary event was attended by deputy ministers of justice, heads of various departments, ministry employees, notaries, and representatives of notary chambers from Germany, Hungary, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, along with other invited guests.