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Slide #103991
Nika Pailodze

Photographer

Nika Pailodze

From the "Russian Law" to the "Russian Government"

Here are some photos I took during the protests in Georgia. People were rallying against the so-called "Russian law," which aimed to label individuals working in NGOs as "foreign agents" if they received funding from abroad. A similar law in Russia effectively eliminated freedom of speech and shut down all opposition media. This law had the same potential in Georgia. During these protests, the police used disproportionate force and engaged in brutal physical confrontations with the demonstrators. The situation worsened when Irakli Kobakhidze announced that Georgia was suspending its EU membership process. People took this as the final signal that Georgia was not just adopting the "Russian law" but was becoming Russia itself. The photos were taken from April 2024 to February 2025.

Nika Pailodze

Probably, I was born in Tbilisi on 9th March 1995, as they said. I have started taking a great interest in visual art since ny childhood, used to watch movies, see the paintings of distinguished painters and take photos by mobile phone as well. of course, not surprisngly, after finishing school, I started studing Literary Studies at university (I am not kidding) and this choice helped me greatly for widening my imigination. I took photography seriously when I became exhausted by everyday routine and started wandering in Tbilisi street (seems accidentaly, doesn't it?). Then I used camping for my interests.