TBILISI, Georgia - Georgian television journalist and political commentator Vakho Sanaia was arrested on July 22, 2026, after publishing two Facebook posts criticizing senior members of the ruling Georgian Dream party. He is believed to be the first journalist arrested under Georgia’s newly adopted social media law, prompting concerns about freedom of expression.

Only a few months ago, Georgia’s Parliament approved new legislation allowing people to be fined or detained over certain social media posts considered insulting or offensive.

Before Sanaia was arrested, a crew from a pro-government television station arrived outside his apartment in Tbilisi. Sanaia asked why they were there and what was happening. The journalists appeared to know in advance that police were about to detain him.

The Facebook posts referred to Shalva Papuashvili, the Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, and Vladimir Bozhadze, a Member of Parliament from the ruling Georgian Dream party.

In one post, Sanaia criticized what he called double standards, arguing that public officials should not be protected from criticism simply because they have children.

“They are trying to establish a dangerous standard - that if a public official has minor children, society should not criticize them. Having children cannot become a shield protecting politicians from public accountability. Double standards.”

In another post, he argued that the same standards should apply to everyone.