Court Finds GYLA Lawyer Giorgi Gotsiridze Liable for Administrative Offence in Connection with Sidewalk Protest
On 16 March, Giorgi Gotsiridze, a lawyer of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) and a human rights defender, was found liable for an administrative offence by Judge Davit Makaradze for standing on a sidewalk in the course of a protest.
Court Finds Shorena Shavlakadze Liable for Administrative Offence in Connection with Road Blockage
Shorena Shavlakadze, the mother of a person with disabilities and an active participant in protest demonstrations advocating for her and her child’s rights, was charged by the Ministry of Internal Affairs with theartificial obstruction of a roadway on Rustaveli Avenue
Unlawful Seizure of Personal Belongings During Arrest / Dispersal of Protest
Police Remove Protest Tents Outside Parliament
On 15 March, late at night, police once again removed tents set up in front of the Parliament building. Videos disseminated by activists show that the tents were taken away by municipal sanitation service personnel using a waste collection vehicle.
Adoption / Tightening of Repressive Legislation→Disruption of Organizational Activities
GYLA Suspends Part of Its Free Legal Aid Programs Amid Legislative Changes
According to the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA), legislative amendments adopted since 2024, coupled with an increasingly repressive environment, have significantly narrowed the operational space of civil society and have impacted the organization’s operations
Criminal Prosecution or Initiation of Investigation→Raid
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")
Searches of Protest Participants Near Parliament Continue for a Second Day
For the second day, law enforcement officers have been subjecting individuals to searches and identity checks in the vicinity of the Parliament of Georgia. According to the authorities, these measures are being carried out for the purposes of ensuring security and pursuant to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations.
Penitentiary System (Pre-trial Detention Center, Prison)
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Ill-treatment in Temporary Detention Facilities or Penitentiary Institutions
According to the Ombudsperson’s representative’s report, Denis Kulanin is being held in conditions that may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment
On 13 March, information was disseminated regarding a report prepared by a representative of the Public Defender of Georgia, according to which convicted individual Denis Kulanin is being held in conditions that may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment at Penitentiary Establishment
Verbal Confrontation Reported Between Bystander and Protest Participants Following Demonstration Near Parliament
a verbal confrontation occurred between a private individual and protest participants in the underground passage near the First Public School in Tbilisi.
Criminal Prosecution or Initiation of Investigation→Raid
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")
Police Conduct Searches of Protest Participants Near Parliament
On 12 March, a notable deployment of law enforcement personnel was observed on Rustaveli Avenue, in the area surrounding the Parliament building, where officers were conducting checks of individuals participating in a public assembly.
Unlawful Seizure of Personal Belongings During Arrest / Dispersal of Protest
Fire Reported in Tent of Activist Darejan Tskhvitariia Near Parliament
On 12 March, activist Darejan Tskhvitariia, who had been spending nights in a tent near the Parliament of Georgia as part of an ongoing protest, stated that her tent caught fire during the night.
Penitentiary System (Pre-trial Detention Center, Prison)
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Ill-treatment in Temporary Detention Facilities or Penitentiary Institutions
Zurab Menteshashvili and Denis Kulanin Report Inhuman or Degrading Conditions of Detention Following Placement in Solitary Confinement
On 10 March, according to publicly available information, Zurab Menteshashvili and Denis Kulanin were placed in solitary confinement, where, according to their accounts, they are being held in conditions that may amount to inhuman or degrading treatment.
