Georgian lawyer Ramishvili lost court case after priest called him ‘informant’ on TV; ETPC says ‘opinion’ label doesn’t shield from liability.
Legal Battle in Georgia
The case involved a prominent Georgian lawyer, known for defending high-profile criminal cases. During a live televised program, a priest from the Georgian Orthodox Church labeled him an “informant” and a “provocateur,” accusing him of passing information to intelligence services. These were serious allegations directly damaging the lawyer’s professional ethics and credibility.
Ramishvili filed a civil lawsuit against the priest for protection of personal rights, arguing the statements harmed his professional reputation. The Tbilisi City Court initially ruled in his favor.
European Court’s Perspective
The Tbilisi Court of Appeal overturned the ruling, stating the disputed comments constituted personal opinions contributing to a significant public debate. It noted Ramishvili, as a public figure, should have tolerated them. The Supreme Court upheld this decision, adding that the lawyer failed to prove the priest’s statements were false.
Ramishvili then appealed to the European Court of Human Rights (ETPC), invoking Article 8 of the Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
