Freedom of expression was further restricted. Selective justice and politically motivated prosecution of government opponents persisted, reads the annual report of Amnesty International, which analyses the human rights situation in 156 countries of the world in 2022.
“New laws increased the government’s surveillance powers and further eroded independence of the judiciary and official watchdogs. Women and girls continued to suffer discrimination and high levels of violence. Failure to effectively investigate torture and other illtreatment remained a concern in government-controlled and breakaway territories,” reads the document.
Amnesty International notes that the alleged organizers of the July 2021 violence against journalists have not been prosecuted. It is also noted that the 2017 kidnapping of Azerbaijani journalist Afgan Mukhtarli was not effectively investigated and no charges had been filed by the end of 2022, despite Mukhtarli identifying one of his kidnappers from photographs.
In the section on unfair trials, Amnesty International highlights “politically motivated fraud charges” brought against Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze and Avtandil Tsereteli as an example. In addition, the document mentioned Nika Gvaramia’s case and notes that the Mtavari TV director was sentenced on unfounded charges.
Mikheil Saakashvili’s case is also cited as an example.
“The trial of Georgia’s former president Mikheil Saakashvili continued as his health deteriorated. Despite medical reports pointing to possible “heavy metal poisoning” and a “significant increased risk of mortality”, by the end of the year a court in Tbilisi had not deferred serving his prison sentence on medical grounds. In March, the European Court of Human Rights admitted for review complaints over violations of the former president’s fair trial rights,” reads the report.
