Georgia’s ruling party Sec Gen says deliberate online bullying, insults subject to legal action as domestic opposition activist faces proceedings in Germany over Facebook post

Kakha Kaladze, Mayor of Tbilisi and Secretary General of the ruling Georgian Dream party, said on Saturday that deliberate bullying and insulting behaviour on social media was subject to legal action, commenting on reports that criminal proceedings had been opened in Berlin against Georgian opposition activist Nata Peradze over a Facebook post.

Kaladze made the statement after Peradze said on Friday that she had received an official notification that criminal proceedings had been opened against her in Berlin in connection with a Facebook post.

“In general, hate speech is completely unacceptable. Unfortunately, in various countries around the world, as well as in Georgia, it has become a regrettable reality that insulting statements and messages targeting people with differing views are posted on social media, and bullying takes place. This is completely unacceptable”, he said.

The official also referred to measures previously introduced by the Georgian authorities in response to insulting behaviour on social media.

“When we began addressing this issue, we remember the statements that were made - it was portrayed as though we were against freedom of speech. However, freedom of speech and expression is protected in this country and is not restricted in any way, but it must be exercised within the bounds of moderation and the law, and not through insults and profanity”, Kaladze noted.

“You have seen that in a European country, Germany, this constitutes a criminal offence because deliberate bullying and insulting a person on social media is a very serious matter. Such incidents are subject to appropriate action everywhere”, he concluded.