Rights defenders call for immediate release of detained Georgian protesters

The Amnesty International (AI) human rights organization has stated that all those detained in Georgia for peacefully exercising their rights to the freedom of speech and assembly must be immediately released.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on January 11, in Batumi, law enforcers detained at least 10 people including Mziya Amaglobeli, the founder of the online outlets "Batumelebi" and "Netgazeti", who is accused of attacking a law enforcer. On January 12, at least nine people were detained in Tbilisi and eight in Batumi during the rallies demanding the release of earlier detainees, as well as those charged within criminal cases.

Denis Krivosheev, the AI's Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, has stated that Georgian authorities are treating any, even symbolic, protest action, such as placing stickers in public places, as a crime. This is done to persecute peaceful protesters and suppress the dissent, he has noted.

Human rights defenders believe that the new laws that came into force in Georgia on December 30, 2024, impose additional arbitrary restrictions on the freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly. Thus, examples are given of large fines imposed for posting protest slogans or posters, as well as the fact that the police are given the right to "preventively" detain people.

Also mentioned is the human rights defender, Giya Djvarsheishvili, who reported torture during his detention last December. He was detained again on January 11 and later hospitalized.

The AI emphasizes that despite numerous torture cases, not a single law enforcer has been held accountable.