15:53, 28 November 2019

Rights defenders state cruel treatment of Tbilisi June protesters

A rally near the parliament building in Tbilisi on November 28, 2019. Photo from the page on Facebook FB https://www.facebook.com/irakly.jip

The Georgian NGO "Young Lawyers' Association" claims that the use of tear gas with shooting rubber bullets during the dispersal of actions in Tbilisi was an unreasonable use of force.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 21, law enforcers dispersed protesters at the parliament building in Tbilisi. The Ministry of Public Health reported hospitalization of 240 people; the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) – detention of 305 protesters.

Protest actions resumed in Tbilisi on November 14; on November 18, law enforcers also dispersed the protesters, using a water cannon and tear gas; four people suffered. On November 25, special troop's fighters used water cannons to remove protesters away from the parliament; two protesters and a journalist suffered.

The MIA was unable to settle the "tense situation on June 20" and failed to use negotiation resources, Nona Kurdovanidze, a lawyer of the above NGO, has stated.

The NGO further notes that one of the women-participants in the June rally in Tbilisi "stood at the entrance to the parliament and did nothing that could threaten law enforcers; nevertheless, a policeman shot her legs with a rubber from a distance of less than two meters."

The "Young Lawyers' Association" demands to hold an inquiry and prosecute those responsible for the incident.

Let us remind you that Georgian NGOs have repeatedly criticized the MIA for dispersing protest actions in Tbilisi. Thus, the Institute for Democratic Studies has condemned the use of special means for dispersing the November action.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 27, 2019 at 11:59 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Galina Gotua

Source: CK correspondent