Apprehended

Tortured

Violence

Prisoner

N. Javakhishvili

Nikoloz
Javakhishvili

Nikoloz Javakhishvili, a 20-year-old DJ from a socially vulnerable family, was arrested on November 30, 2024, two days after the pro-European protest demonstrations began. He is one of the eight young individuals whose case Transparency International Georgia assesses as politically motivated, believing its purpose is to intimidate society, especially young people and students. Nikoloz Javakhishvili's case is distinct in that, unlike others accused of throwing stones, he is accused of throwing pyrotechnics.

He was charged with participating in group violence (Article 225, Part 2 of the Criminal Code), which carries a sentence of 4 to 6 years in prison. Nikoloz has exercised his right to remain silent during the proceedings. The prosecution relies on video footage showing a young man wrapped in a brown plaid blanket and a Georgian flag, running with pyrotechnics in hand and throwing them

«There's a habitoscopic report in the case, supposedly identifying Nikoloz Javakhishvili, but only one body part is visible in the footage, and they based the identification on that. We're not even mentioning that it's unclear what footage it is, when it was taken, or who took it. We are trying people under 21, you can't arrest someone based on one piece of paper»
—Lawyer Sofio Gordadze

Adding to this is Transparency International's analysis, according to which the video evidence used in this case was likely obtained through illegal covert surveillance, violating the law, and is therefore inadmissible (under the "fruit of the poisonous tree" doctrine). The organization also emphasizes that the charge of group violence (Article 225) is unfounded because it requires the existence of a pre-organized group, which is not supported by the case materials – most of the defendants did not even know each other. Furthermore, no causal link can be established between Javakhishvili's alleged action (throwing pyrotechnics) and any specific police officer's injury.

Struggle Behind Bars: Hunger Strike and Protest

Nikoloz Javakhishvili's struggle was not limited to the courtroom. While in custody, he went on hunger strike twice. The first time, on January 22, 2025, he declared a hunger strike in solidarity with journalist Mzia Amaglobeli, founder of "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti," who had also been arrested and accused of assaulting a police officer. For initiating this hunger strike, according to his lawyer Guja Avsajanishvili and human rights defenders, Nikoloz was punished – transferred to solitary confinement (Cell #27), where, in his own words, there were "no conditions," and his television was confiscated

«I, Nikoloz Javakhishvili... am being held alone in cell #27... they are punishing me because I have been on hunger strike for 3 days»
—Nikoloz ჟავაკჰისჰვილი

Due to a sharp decline in his health (according to his lawyer, he lost 16 kg and fainted twice), he ended the hunger strike on January 27.

However, on February 4, Nikoloz began a hunger strike again, this time to express "disobedience towards the illegitimate government."

«I don't know how much I can achieve disobedience from here, but I will try at least through hunger strike! My answer is 'attack for attack'. We won't retreat a single step... this regime will collapse, we will get out, and justice will prevail... I want to urge you towards full disobedience and not giving up, we will win gloriously.»
—from letter sent from prison by Nikoloz Javakhishvili

This hunger strike also ended due to deteriorating health.

The case of Nikoloz Javakhishvili, like those of the other members of this group, presents a picture where young activists face criminal prosecution based on questionable evidence and legally weak charges, reinforcing suspicions of political motivation. His struggle from prison, through acts of hunger strike and defiant letters, has become another example of resistance against the regime and the fight for freedom.

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