KIGURADZE v. GEORGIA

Published on 26 August 2024 FIFTH SECTIONApplication no. 25784/23Bakur KIGURADZEagainst Georgialodged on 23 June 2023communicated on 3 July 2024SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASEThe application concerns the domestic courts’ refusal to adjudicate on the applicant’s defamation lawsuit against a Member of Parliament (MP), on the basis of a legal provision excluding the liability of Members of Parliament in respect of statements made as part of a political debate or while performing their official duties. The applicant had argued that the MP in question had breached his right to reputation by referring to him as a “Russian spy” despite the applicant’s having been acquitted of the charge of espionage. The final decision on the discontinuation of the defamation proceedings instituted by the applicant was served on the applicant’s representative on 23 February 2023.The applicant relied on Article 8 of …