ODIHR is concerned about reports of the use of excessive police force in Georgia – the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODIHR) publishes a statement on its X page.
ODIHR is concerned about reports of excessive police force in Georgia and calls on officials to facilitate peaceful gatherings and engage in non-violent dialogue.
“The right to peaceful protest and to voice critical views is vital to all democratic societies,” the statement said.
On November 19, during the dispersal of the rally in Tbilisi, the police administratively detained 16 people, and released 3 on bail. In addition, it became known that a 21-year-old boy was arrested on charges of assaulting a police officer and faces up to 7 years in prison.
Among those arrested was the cameraman of Mtavari Arkhi, Sergi Baramidze, who was performing his official duties.
At dawn, police and a special forces unit appeared on Chavchavadze Avenue near TSU, where citizens had been protesting for two days and had been staying up all night. The police used force against the participants of the rally. After that, the citizens moved to Melikishvili Avenue, and the Tbilisi City Hall service began cleaning Chavchavadze Avenue.
Soon after, the police also urged the citizens to leave Melikishvili Avenue. The police physically confronted the protesters and began detaining them.
Image: Formula
Related story: MIA arrests one protester on charges of attacking policemen
