ZURABIANI v. GEORGIA

Published on 2 November 2022 FIFTH SECTIONApplication no. 22266/22Lasha ZURABIANIagainst Georgialodged on 28 April 2022communicated on 11 October 2022SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASEThe application concerns the imposition of a fine on the applicant, an attorney, for contempt of court. On 4 November 2021 the applicant was fined in the amount of 300 Georgian laris (approximately 100 euros) by judge V.D. of the Tbilisi City Court, for allegedly insulting her. The applicant appealed claiming, with reference to the audio recording of the relevant hearing, that he had not insulted the judge but had simply entered into an argument with her and that his impugned statements remained within the limits of acceptable criticism. He also maintained that V.D. should not have been allowed to convict him of contempt of court, but should have referred the case to another, impartial judge. The conduct of V.D. ha …