Another State Agency | Court | Ministry of Interior | Prosecutor's Office | SSSG / State Security Service of Georgia
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Criminal Prosecution or Initiation of Investigation
Detention→Administrative Detention
Financial Sanctions→Seizures / Account Freezing
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")→Summoning of Activists for "Interviews" or Interrogations
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment
Violation of Privacy→Use of Activists' Personal Life Details for the Purpose of Pressure
Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – March 2025
The incidents documented in March 2025 demonstrate that the practice of exerting pressure on civil activists continues to maintain a systemic character and manifests itself in various forms. The incidents recorded during the reporting period reflect administrative detentions, incidents of physical violence, the active use of financial sanctions, as well as the use of criminal law mechanisms, including restrictions imposed on the financial activities of organisations associated with activists.
Criminal Prosecution or Initiation of Investigation→Bail
Detention→Administrative Detention
Financial Sanctions→Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")→Dismissal from Public Service
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Causing Physical Harm
Incidents documented against civil activists – February 2025
The incidents documented in February 2025 show that, during the month of February, the practice of pressure directed against civil activists continued actively. The cases described during the reporting period include administrative detentions, criminal prosecution, physical violence, financial sanctions, as well as alleged discriminatory decisions related to professional activity.
Another State Agency | Court | Ministry of Interior | Person Associated with Georgian Dream | Prosecutor's Office | Unidentified Persons
Persecution Due to Civil Activism | Suppression of Protest
Incident Type:
Criminal Prosecution or Initiation of Investigation→Pre-trial detention
Detention→Administrative Detention
Financial Sanctions→Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
Imprisonment
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")→Dismissal from Public Service
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Excessive Use of Force During Arrest, Transportation or Dispersal of Protest
Restriction of Freedom of Assembly and Expression→Prohibition or Dispersal of Peaceful Assembly
Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – January 2025
The incidents documented in January 2025 indicate the use of diverse and intensive forms of pressure against civil activists. These incidents include administrative and criminal prosecution, physical violence, restrictions on freedom of expression, financial sanctions, and alleged politically motivated discrimination in professional activities.
Financial Sanctions→Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")→Dismissal from Public Service
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment
Unlawful Seizure of Personal Belongings During Arrest / Dispersal of Protest
Incidents Documented Against Civil Activists – 11–31 December 2024
In the second half of December, practices of legal, administrative, and indirect pressure emerged against civil activists, citizens participating in protest actions, and persons employed in the public sector. The second half of December was marked by the tightening of legislative regulations, as well as by an increase in the practice of detentions and termination of labour relations. Below is an overview of developments that took place in the second half of December, based on information disseminated in the media and publicly available sources, and it may not reflect all cases.
Restriction of Freedom of Assembly and Expression→Prohibition or Dispersal of Peaceful Assembly
Unlawful Seizure of Personal Belongings During Arrest / Dispersal of Protest
Incidents Documented Against Civil Activists – 1–10 December 2024
At the beginning of December 2024, large-scale protest assemblies were taking place in various cities of Georgia. The protest wave was related to political decisions concerning the process of accession to the European Union and to broad public dissatisfaction. During this period, protest assemblies were held on a daily basis.
Another State Agency | Court | Court Marshal Service | Ministry of Interior | Municipal Authorities | Prosecutor's Office | Special Investigation Service
Persecution Due to Civil Activism | Suppression of Protest
Financial Sanctions→Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")→Summoning of Activists for "Interviews" or Interrogations
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Excessive Use of Force During Arrest, Transportation or Dispersal of Protest, Ill-treatment in Temporary Detention Facilities or Penitentiary Institutions
Restriction of Freedom of Assembly and Expression→Forced Change of Location, Time or Form of Protest, Obstruction of Participation in or Organization of a Protest, Prohibition or Dispersal of Peaceful Assembly
Unlawful Seizure of Personal Belongings During Arrest / Dispersal of Protest
Incidents Documented Against Civil Activists – November 2024
The cases documented in November 2024 demonstrate the intensive and multifaceted nature of rights violations directed against civil activists, particularly in the period following the 31 October 2024 parliamentary elections. The documented incidents primarily relate to peaceful assemblies and protest actions and include the use by the State of various legal and administrative measures, including restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and expression, administrative and criminal arrests, financial sanctions, physical violence, and other forms of indirect pressure against activists.
Persecution Due to Civil Activism | Suppression of Protest
Incident Type:
Adoption / Tightening of Repressive Legislation
Criminal Prosecution or Initiation of Investigation→Raid
Financial Sanctions→Seizures / Account Freezing
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Causing Physical Harm
Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – October 2024
The incidents documented in October 2024 indicate the continuation of pressure against individuals engaged in civic activism and the expression of critical opinions. During the reporting period, both physical attacks and the use of investigative and administrative mechanisms were documented, affecting researchers, representatives of civil society, and individuals affiliated with international organisations.
Another State Agency | Court | Ministry of Interior
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Detention→Administrative Detention
Financial Sanctions→Seizures / Account Freezing, Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")→Dismissal from Public Service
Intimidation, Threats and Discreditation→Verbal Threats or Pressure
Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – September 2024
The incidents documented in September 2024 indicate the use of various forms of pressure against individuals engaged in civic activism and the expression of critical opinions. During the reporting period, incidents involving administrative detention, financial sanctions, and indirect pressure were documented, affecting activists, representatives of civil society, and individuals employed in the public sector.
Another State Agency | Court | SSSG / State Security Service of Georgia
Persecution Due to Civil Activism
Incident Type:
Financial Sanctions→Use of Fines, Sanctions or Administrative Leverage for the Purpose of Economic Pressure
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")→Dismissal from Public Service, Summoning of Activists for "Interviews" or Interrogations
Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – July 2024
In July, a pattern was documented of the use of legal mechanisms, the imposition of judicial sanctions, and summonses to investigative authorities against activists and critically minded citizens. The documented cases indicate that administrative and investigative mechanisms were used against persons who publicly expressed protest or were actively involved in public processes, serving the purpose of suppressing protest in society.
Indirect Pressure ("Chilling Effect")→Summoning of Activists for "Interviews" or Interrogations
Physical Violence and Ill-treatment→Causing Physical Harm, Excessive Use of Force During Arrest, Transportation or Dispersal of Protest
Restriction of Freedom of Assembly and Expression→Forced Change of Location, Time or Form of Protest
Documented Incidents Against Civil Activists – June 2024
The monitoring conducted in June 2024 demonstrated that human rights violations targeting civil activists continued and retained a systemic character. Although the intensity of protest demonstrations decreased compared to May, the practices of violence, intimidation, and legal pressure against activists remained evident.
