Context
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.
The data presented are based solely on cases reflected in publicly available sources. Accordingly, the actual number of rights violations may exceed the documented figures.
In the cases documented in November 2024, at least 46 episodes of rights violations were recorded, affecting at least 281 persons.
Dispersal / restriction of the freedoms of assembly and expression: In November 2024, at least 9 episodes involving restrictions on the freedoms of assembly and expression were documented, including the violent dispersal of assemblies, restrictions on movement, and the use of special means, particularly during the events of 28–29 November, when 33 persons were injured and transferred to medical facilities.
Arrests: In November 2024, 3 cases of arrest in criminal proceedings were documented, involving 3 persons, while 9 episodes of arrests in administrative-offence proceedings were documented, within which a total of 175 persons were administratively arrested, including 107 persons in one episode.
Administrative proceedings / financial sanctions: In November 2024, financial sanctions were used against civil activists and organizations in at least 9 cases. According to the monitoring data, the sanctions were linked to peaceful protest marches and forms of public expression. Based on publicly available information and information disseminated by the media, the total amount of fines imposed was not less than GEL 13,700.
Physical violence / ill-treatment: In November 2024, at least 11 episodes were documented, within which at least 57 persons reported physical violence, ill-treatment, or severe physical abuse. Among them, in the episode of 19 November, representatives of the Public Defender visited 16 detainees, of whom 10 alleged ill-treatment; in the 28–29 November episode, out of 11 persons visited, alleged ill-treatment was identified in 9 cases, 6 persons had visible injuries, and 2 persons had been transferred to a clinic; in the 29–30 November episode, 38 persons reported severe physical abuse.
Confiscation of property / personal belongings: At least 1 episode was documented, within which some detainees alleged the confiscation of personal belongings, including mobile phones and other items.
Indirect pressure / “chilling effect”: In November 2024, at least 4 episodes were documented, including the summoning of an activist and a representative of an observation mission for questioning, and the practice of systematically summoning members of an observation coalition.
5 November 2024 – Ozurgeti, Guria
The Municipal Inspection fined the organization “Civil Movement for Freedom” GEL 1,500 for placing a protest banner on the balcony of its office reading “The Russian Dream stole the elections.” According to the Inspection, the banner was assessed as “illegal advertising.”
According to the organization’s representative, Otar Revishvili, the banner constituted a form of political protest and did not damage the façade of the building or any other infrastructure. Nevertheless, the Supervision Service imposed the fine on the basis of Article 159 of the Code of Administrative Offences, which concerns violations of the rules on the placement of advertisements.
6 November 2024 – Tbilisi
Londa Toloraia, spokesperson of the observation coalition “My Vote,” was summoned by the Prosecutor’s Office for questioning as a witness before a magistrate judge. The questions mainly concerned the activities and assessments of the observation mission, rather than possible violations identified during the 26 October elections.
The coalition “My Vote” publicly stated that the Prosecutor’s Office was not launching a full-fledged investigation into election-related crimes and, instead, was summoning various members of the observation mission for questioning. According to the organization, these actions were aimed at obstructing the coalition’s activities and exerting pressure on its members.
10 November 2024 – Tbilisi
During a protest against the election results, which was taking place on both embankments of the Mtkvari River and in the area surrounding Baratashvili Bridge, the police called on participants to clear the carriageway. The restriction concerned the form and location of the assembly.
13 November 2024 – Tbilisi
During a protest against the election results, citizens were moving in a march from the Central Election Commission building towards the Aghmashenebeli monument. Law enforcement officers did not allow them to block the carriageway and removed women participants from the traffic lane through the use of physical force. Prior to that, protest participants had been temporarily restricted from moving around and entering the Central Election Commission building, which hindered the process of submitting applications.
16 November 2024 – Tbilisi
During a protest march held near the Central Election Commission in Tbilisi, 3 civil activists were detained in administrative-offence proceedings. According to available data, the arrests were linked to civic activism in the electoral context.
Members of the “Daitove” movement, who were moving towards the residence of the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission, had their movement restricted by the police. The situation on the ground was periodically tense.
Citizens gathered near the Central Election Commission moved in a protest march towards Aghmashenebeli Alley. During the march, a confrontation took place between the police and demonstrators, and the police attempted to remove them from the carriageway through the use of force.
Citizens gathered near the Central Election Commission held a protest march towards Aghmashenebeli Alley, protesting the results of the parliamentary elections. During the march, a physical confrontation took place between the police and protest participants; law enforcement officers attempted to remove the demonstrators from the carriageway through the use of force.
19 November 2024 – Tbilisi
In the early morning hours, law enforcement officers dispersed a peaceful protest that had been ongoing for two days on Chavchavadze Avenue and took control of the area through the use of force. From approximately 06:00 in the morning, a large number of police and special-purpose forces, including special equipment, were mobilized on site. After the dispersal of the assembly, part of the citizens moved to Melikishvili Avenue, where their arrests began.
During the arrests and the dispersal of the assembly, physical abuse took place both in the street and inside police vehicles. According to reports, two injured persons were transferred to a clinic. On the same day, the police arrested 16 persons in administrative-offence proceedings. According to lawyers, the detainees had injuries of varying severity, while some of them were later released on the basis of a written undertaking.
On 19 November, representatives of the Public Defender visited 16 detained persons: 14 in temporary detention facilities and 2 in medical facilities. Of these, 10 reported ill-treatment and excessive use of force. The Public Defender stated that the assembly taking place on Melikishvili Avenue was peaceful in nature and complied with the standards of freedom of assembly, while the use of force identified during the arrests required an immediate and effective investigation. For this purpose, the Public Defender’s Office submitted publicly disseminated materials to the Special Investigation Service. Among those arrested were Aleksandre Kavtaradze, Aleksandre Bekauri, and Rezi Dumbadze. According to their lawyer, physical force was used against them both during arrest and inside police vehicles, as a result of which they sustained injuries, including to the facial area.
According to civil activist Natia Dzidziguri, who was arrested during the dispersal of the protest near Tbilisi State University, her detention was preceded by aggressive conduct and verbal abuse by the police. According to her, after the detention, while being transported in a police vehicle, she was subjected to degrading and sexually offensive treatment. The activist explained that she was forced to remain on her knees throughout the entire journey, despite the fact that there was free space in the vehicle and despite her repeated requests to be allowed to sit down. In addition, she indicated that during transportation, law enforcement officers used degrading gestures and ironic, insulting remarks, creating an environment of psychological pressure and treatment impairing human dignity.
20 November 2024 – Tbilisi
Participants gathered near the first building of Tbilisi State University were given a temporary deadline to leave the area, after which they were forcibly moved to Melikishvili Avenue.
The court imposed a fine of GEL 2,700 on civil activist Irakli Andghuladze. The case was related to his participation in the protest held on Melikishvili Avenue on 19 November.
21 November 2024 – Tbilisi
In Tbilisi, representatives of law enforcement bodies arrested civil activist Mate Devidze in criminal proceedings. He was arrested on charges of assaulting police officers during the protest held in Tbilisi on 19 November 2024, an offence punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment.
In Tbilisi, the court sentenced civil activist Davit Tsotsoria to 8 days of administrative detention, in connection with his arrest at the protest held on Melikishvili Avenue on 19 November.
In Tbilisi, the court sentenced civil activist Isako Devidze to 8 days of administrative detention, in connection with his arrest at the protest held on Melikishvili Avenue on 19 November.
Civil activist Niko Managadze was summoned to the Special Investigation Service within the framework of a criminal case concerning alleged interference with the journalistic activities of a journalist of TV company “Imedi.” According to Managadze himself, the case was initiated on the basis of an application by TV company “Imedi.” The activist explained that the incident was related to a critical question he asked during a live broadcast, concerning the assessment and coverage of incidents of police violence against journalists. During the same period, the Special Investigation Service stated that an investigation had been launched into cases of interference with journalistic activities during the protests of 18–19 November.
Civil activist Lizi Tirkia was summoned to the Special Investigation Service in connection with the protest action of 19 November. Initially, Tirkia wrote on social media that she was being accused of assaulting police officers; however, the Special Investigation Service denied this information and explained that Tirkia had been summoned as a witness. Later, Tirkia herself also stated that she learned the actual reason for the summons only after appearing at the agency.
25 November 2024 – Tbilisi
Anatoli Gigauri was arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer, an offence punishable by 4 to 7 years’ imprisonment. According to the official version, during a protest held on Rustaveli Avenue, in the area surrounding the Parliament, he physically confronted a patrol inspector. At the same time, during his arrest, Anatoli Gigauri indicated that physical force had been used against him and that he had injuries. According to Anatoli Gigauri, physical violence was used against him before the arrest. According to his lawyer, Gigauri had injuries in the facial area, including bruising above and below the eye socket. The victim explained that, although he intended to get into the law enforcement vehicle voluntarily, several police officers physically assaulted him before the arrest. According to the lawyer, they would apply to the Special Investigation Service requesting the launch of an investigation into the incident of violence.
27 November 2024 – Tbilisi
In the courtyard of Tbilisi City Court, citizens gathered in support of persons arrested during the protest were forcibly removed from the area by the Mandaturi Service, restricting the possibility to assemble and express views.
Tbilisi City Court issued decisions in administrative cases concerning citizens who participated in the protest march of 10 November and imposed financial sanctions in the total amount of GEL 7,500. Specifically, by court decision, GEL 500 fines were imposed on Ilia Seturi, Nino Chilashvili, Davit Tsintsabadze, Luka Beraia, and Ketevan Daudishvili, who were accused of blocking the road and violating the rules on assemblies and demonstrations. In the same context, according to media reports, the court imposed a GEL 5,000 fine on Ilia Ghlonti, one of the founders of the “Daitove” movement and co-organizer of the 10 November march.
Tbilisi City Court imposed a fine of GEL 2,000 on Vano Gomurashvili on the charge of disobeying a lawful order of the police. During the court hearing, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs claimed that the civil activist had verbally insulted law enforcement officers at the protest held near the Central Election Commission. At the same time, no evidence confirming the allegation was presented during the hearing. Vano Gomurashvili himself assessed the decision as an attempt to exert pressure on and intimidate civic activism, and indicated that the sanction imposed against him was linked to the expression of dissenting opinion and participation in protest activity.
28 November 2024 – Kutaisi
In Kutaisi, civil activist Misha Mumladze was arrested in administrative-offence proceedings. According to the monitoring data, the arrest was carried out through the use of force and was linked to a pro-European protest held against the suspension of negotiations with the European Union. This episode also indicates signs of physical violence and ill-treatment.
At a protest held near the office of “Georgian Dream” in Kutaisi, where citizens were protesting the government’s decision to suspend negotiations with the European Union by moving across a zebra crossing, the police arrested protest participant Misha Mumladze through the use of force. During the detention, a scuffle occurred between the police and citizens, and Mumladze was forcibly taken into a police vehicle.
28–29 November 2024 – Tbilisi
During the night hours, the pro-European protest held on Rustaveli Avenue was dispersed by police forces through the use of force. Law enforcement officers used water cannons and special means, and numerous incidents of violence against protest participants, journalists, and photographers were documented.
After the dispersal of the pro-European protest, the police began pursuing the demonstrators who remained on Rustaveli Avenue, used physical force against them, and arrested dozens of people. Law enforcement officers began using physical violence against citizens gathered near the Opera House and pursued them up to the building of the Academy of Sciences. According to reports, police officers also entered a pharmacy, where they physically assaulted citizens and damaged inventory.
Throughout the night, demonstrators were pursued, violence was used, and arrests were carried out on Rustaveli Avenue. Law enforcement officers used tear gas and water cannons, including means which, according to media reports, contained tear-inducing substances. Violence affected journalists, politicians, and other citizens present at the protest. The protest on Rustaveli Avenue began after the ruling party announced on 28 November the suspension of negotiations on accession to the European Union.
The Public Defender assessed the developments at the protests of 28–29 November as particularly alarming. According to the Public Defender, cases of inhuman and degrading treatment of peaceful demonstrators, journalists, and detained persons were identified. On the night of 29 November, representatives of the Public Defender visited 11 persons; in 9 cases, alleged ill-treatment was identified, including against 3 journalists. Six persons had visible physical injuries, while two injured persons had been transferred to a clinic with multiple injuries.
Poet Zviad Ratiani was detained on the night of 28–29 November. During the arrest, law enforcement officers dragged him by force on Chichinadze Street and physically assaulted him. Later disseminated video footage shows him being led through a corridor of special-purpose officers while being continuously beaten. The injured person was diagnosed with serious injuries: a fractured fifth vertebra, a broken nasal bone and septum, as well as multiple haematomas and bruises on his body. According to Zviad Ratiani, he was peacefully present at the protest and was only trying to defuse the tension with a hand gesture when the police forcibly removed him and continued physical violence both in the street and inside the police vehicle.
On the night of 29 November, as a result of the violent dispersal of the pro-European protest in Tbilisi, 43 civil activists were detained in administrative-offence proceedings.
29–30 November 2024 – Tbilisi
In Tbilisi, during the violent dispersal of the protests of 29–30 November, 107 civil activists were detained in administrative-offence proceedings, representing the largest episode of administrative arrests during the month.
According to lawyers and the Public Defender, a significant number of those arrested as a result of the protests of 29–30 November had traces of physical violence. According to lawyer Lasha Tkesheladze, there were queues of detainees in detention facilities, and the detainees had been beaten and had various injuries, including bruising and signs of head trauma. One detainee, Avtandil Tvitinidze, required emergency medical assistance due to symptoms of concussion.
Representatives of the Public Defender visited detainees, of whom 38 reported severe physical abuse. According to the Public Defender, injuries were mainly inflicted in the facial area. The Ombudsperson noted that violence was used particularly during the moment of arrest and during the transfer of detainees in police vehicles. It is noteworthy that a significant number of detainees indicated that their personal belongings — mobile phones, a laptop, a wallet containing cash, and other items — had been confiscated, and their subsequent whereabouts remain unknown to them.
30 November 2024 – Tbilisi and Batumi
The Ministry of Internal Affairs continued to attempt to suppress legitimate protest through violence in Tbilisi and Batumi. On Rustaveli Avenue, the police dispersed a peaceful assembly by violent methods, including through the use of water cannons and gas. Law enforcement officers used violence against peaceful citizens, pursued them, arrested them without grounds, and physically assaulted them, while also using special means in violation of the rules governing their use.
In Batumi, in the context of a pro-European protest, 3 civil activists were detained in administrative-offence proceedings. In Tbilisi, during the violent dispersal of the protests of 29–30 November, 107 civil activists were arrested in administrative-offence proceedings, representing the largest episode of administrative arrests during the month.
In Tbilisi, another civil activist, Archil Museliani, was arrested in criminal proceedings. He is accused of damaging video cameras installed near the Parliament, specifically by setting them on fire. Museliani does not plead guilty and indicates alleged pressure and violence against him in the detention facility.
Avtandil Tvitinidze was arrested in the early morning hours in the area surrounding the Parliament. After the arrest, he was transferred to a temporary detention facility and later to a clinic. According to Tvitinidze, during the arrest he was not allowed to contact a doctor or a lawyer, despite his repeated requests. According to Avtandil Tvitinidze, during the arrest, physical force was used against him by representatives of the special-purpose unit. He stated that one of the special-purpose officers struck him hard in the nose, causing heavy bleeding. Subsequently, according to the detainee, he was struck several more times, while during transfer to the detention facility he was threatened with violence and the use of handcuffs. Tvitinidze also indicated degrading treatment, psychological pressure, and delayed provision of medical assistance, as a result of which it ultimately became necessary to transfer him to a clinic.
During the violent dispersal of the ongoing protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the police detained Giorgi Maisashvili. His detention was preceded by the use of physical force against him – Giorgi had bruising around the eye area. Later, he was sentenced to 6 days of administrative detention.
During the dispersal of the pro-European protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the police severely beat 23-year-old Zviad Maisashvili. According to him, police officers threw him to the ground, after which several law enforcement officers struck him simultaneously. As a result of the beating, Zviad Maisashvili lost consciousness. Zviad was later brought back to consciousness in an ambulance. He was diagnosed with a concussion, a fractured nasal septum, a broken back tooth, and bruising of the lips. On the same night, the police also physically assaulted his brother, 24-year-old Giorgi Maisashvili, who was arrested and sentenced to 6 days of administrative detention.
According to lawyer Tato Kelbakiani, after the pro-European protest, his 17-year-old son, Demetre Kelbakiani, was detained by law enforcement officers through the use of force. According to Kelbakiani, the minor was thrown to the ground and 7–8 people used violence against him at the same time, despite the fact that he repeatedly indicated his age. Demetre was later released and transferred to a clinic to have his injuries examined.
