Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Causing Physical Harm
Participants of a Pro-European Rally in Batumi Were Verbally Insulted and Physically Assaulted by Several Individuals
On 31 August, two participants of a pro-European rally in Batumi were verbally and physically assaulted by a passerby. Video footage recorded at the rally shows several individuals insulting and threatening the participants.
MIA Hate Speech Monitoring Division | Ministry of Interior
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Administrative Offense / Legal Practice
Activist Mikheil Zakareishvili Summoned to Court over Facebook Posts
Activist Mikheil Zakareishvili writes on social media that he has been summoned to court on 3 September based on materials prepared by the newly established “Division for Combating Hate Speech” within the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Pardoned Denis Kulanin Transferred to the Temporary Migration Accommodation Center
Russian citizen Denis Kulanin, who was included in the list of persons pardoned by Mikheil Kavelashvili, has been placed in the Temporary Migration Accommodation Center.
Shota Odishvili, Detained over an Inscription on His T-shirt, Was Sentenced to 15 Days of Administrative Detention
Judge Nino Enukidze imposed 15 days of administrative detention on Shota Odishvili, who was detained over an inscription on his T-shirt. According to lawyer Giorgi Tabatadze, Odishvili has been transferred to the Gurjaani temporary detention isolator.
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Public Discrediting or Stigmatization of Activists
Georgian Dream MP Disseminated a Discrediting Statement against Opposition Parties and NGOs
Georgian Dream MP Levan Machavariani disseminated a discrediting statement on social media targeting opposition parties, non-governmental organizations, and activists. Machavariani refers to them as “agent-run opposition parties,” “wealthy NGOs,” and “ultra-leftist, pseudo-liberal activists.” According to him, they serve “foreign patrons” and “several ambassadors inside the country,” while their agenda is the “constant destabilization of Georgia,” “sabotage,” “destabilization,” and “harmful activity.”
Restriction of Freedom of Assembly and Expression→Forced Change of Location, Time or Form of Protest
Police Restricted Protesters from Expressing Support with Flags near the Ukrainian Embassy
A solidarity rally marking Ukraine’s Independence Day was held near the Ukrainian Embassy. Participants wanted to unfurl the Georgian and Ukrainian flags; however, due to the size of the flags, fully unfolding them required stepping onto the roadway
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Public Discrediting or Stigmatization of Activists
Another Discrediting Card against Non-Governmental Organizations Was Disseminated on a Facebook Page Affiliated with Georgian Dream
A card was disseminated on a Facebook page affiliated with Georgian Dream, in which non-governmental organizations are again referred to as “foreign-funded NGOs.” The card uses a statement by Amiran Salukvadze, in which he refers to representatives of the organizations as “hired patriots” and calls on citizens to join his Telegram channel.
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Public Discrediting or Stigmatization of Activists
Pro-Government Media Disseminated Discrediting Cards with Identical Content against NGOs
On 21 August, pro-government media outlets, including POSTV, Rustavi 2 and Imedi, disseminated cards with identical content targeting non-governmental organizations and their representatives.
Court of Appeals Dismissed Activist Zurab Menteshashvili’s Appeal
According to Jano Chkadua, the lawyer of Zurab Menteshashvili, who had been found guilty over repeated blocking of a road, the Court of Appeals delivered its decision in Zurab Menteshashvili’s case without an oral hearing and dismissed the defence’s appeal.
Tornike Toshkhua Detained Again near the City Assembly over a Banner
On 31 July, civil activist Tornike Toshkhua was detained near the Tbilisi City Assembly building. He was holding a sheet of paper reading: “Is Bidzina not a d***/is he?”
