Detention→Administrative Detention · Financial Sanctions→Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
In Cases of Persons Detained near the City Assembly on 26 July, Four Remained in Detention and Five Were Fined
On 28 July, late at night, the court concluded the hearings in the cases of 10 persons detained near the Tbilisi City Assembly on 26 July. The cases were heard by Judges Zviad Tsekvava and Tornike Kapanadze.
Court | Court Marshal Service | Ministry of Interior
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Excessive Use of Force During Arrest, Transportation or Dispersal of Protest
Supporters of Persons Detained on 26 July Forced to Leave Court Building
Human rights defender Marika Arevadze stated that an officer of the Court Bailiff Service used force against her at Tbilisi City Court. According to her, the bailiff pushed her and forced her to leave the court building.
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect") · Restriction of Freedom of Assembly and Expression
MMA Fighter Establishes Movement “to Protect Georgian Values, Principles, and Traditions”
MMA fighter Giorgi Kartvelishvili, together with like-minded individuals, has established a new movement “to protect sacred values.” According to him, the movement will have an “immediate response” to the “insult of sacred values, ancestors, religion, and history.”
Ten Citizens Detained near Tbilisi City Assembly over a Banner
On 26 July, police detained activist Tornike Toshkhua near the Tbilisi City Assembly building. The reason for the detention was the protest banner displayed by him, which read: “Is Bidzina a d***? Yes - No.” Footage of Toshkhua’s detention shows several police officers approaching him as he stands near the City Assembly, after which they place him in a police vehicle and take him away.
MIA Hate Speech Monitoring Division | Ministry of Interior
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Detention→Administrative Detention
Giorgi Akhobadze Subjected to 25 Days of Administrative Detention over a Public Statement
The court imposed 25 days of administrative detention on doctor Giorgi Akhobadze, a participant in the continuous protest rallies. The decision was delivered by Judge Manuchar Tsatsua.
Several Citizens Verbally Confronted Protest Participants on Kote Abkhazi Street
On 22 July,a verbal confrontation took place on Kote Abkhazi Street between several citizens and participants of a protest march. According to reports, the protest participants were moving along Kote Abkhazi Street as part of a march when several individuals confronted them.
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Causing Physical Harm · Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Public Discrediting or Stigmatization of Activists
Several Individuals Attacked Comedian Onise Okriashvili near His Home Following a Discrediting Campaign
On 22 July, civil activist and comedian Onise Okriashvili was attacked near his home by several individuals. Publicly circulated video footage shows several individuals physically assaulting Okriashvili near his home. Following the attack, Okriashvili was taken to a medical clinic.
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Public Discrediting or Stigmatization of Activists
Pro-Government Channels Launch Campaign against Comedian Onise Okriashvili and YouTube Project “Punchline Therapy”
A discrediting campaign has been launched in pro-government media outlets against comedian and activist Onise Okriashvili, as well as the YouTube project “Punchline Therapy.” The campaign followed one episode of the show, in which Okriashvili is one of the co-hosts, together with Anastasia Bendukidze and Irakli Jabua.
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation · Restriction of Freedom of Assembly and Expression
Patrol Police Called to Train Carrying Parents of Protest Detainees to Batumi over Banners
On 19 July, parents of persons detained during protest rallies travelled by train to Batumi to distribute newspapers. Before departure, they reported that the parents travelling to Batumi had been stopped because they were carrying banners and photos of their detained children.
