EU Report

On Mtatsminda, "titushki" attacked an actor and journalists On Mtatsminda, a group of "titushki" beat up actor Giorgi Makharadze. After that they reportedly attacked TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli near the Akhali party office. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Public Defender meeting with Eropean Ambassadors On December 6, 2024, Levan Ioseliani, Public Defender of Georgia, and Tamar Gvaramadze, First Deputy Public Defender of Georgia, met with the, Ambassador of Great Britain (Gareth Ward), France (Sheraz Gasri), and Germany (Ernst Peter Fischer). The Public Defender discussed the current developments in the country and introduced the ambassadors to the activities carried out by the Office. He spoke about the cases of violence and ill-treatment by the police, and the condition of those arrested and injured during the protests, whom the Public Defender and Public Defender’s representatives have been constantly visiting in temporary detention centers and clinics. He also noted that the Office would closely monitor the progress of investigations launched by the Special Investigation Service. The Office operates in an emergency mode and responds immediately to all information about human rights violations received via the hotline. The office also continues to proactively inform the public, international organizations and diplomats about the ongoing developments. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

How the police (doesn't) act against masked "sonders"/"titushki" was filmed by journalists from mautskebeli.ge Note that these "Men in Black" hold truncheons in their hands, which they used to beat people. Journalists point at the gangs only a few meters away and ask the regular police for help as the thugs threaten people in front of their eyes, and in the end there is 0 reaction, or even an escort of the "titushki" with truncheons. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Public Defender's Statement on Events Developed at Protest Rally. According to the information disseminated in the media and social networks, over the past hour, individuals dressed in black have been attacking and physically abusing citizens and TV Pirveli journalists near Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. The Public Defender calls on the police forces mobilized near Rustaveli Avenue to immediately respond and ensure the safety of citizens. Law enforcement agencies should immediately launch an investigation and bring the relevant individuals to justice. In addition, the Public Defender Visits Detainees On December 7, 2024, the Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, visited 34 detained protesters in temporary detention centers in Tbilisi and Sagarejo. Some of the detainees had injuries and, as they themselves stated, the police abused them during the arrest and transportation. The Public Defender provided information about all the cases to the Special Investigation Service. The Public Defender emphasizes that the Ministry of Internal Affairs should also pay attention to the seizure of detainees' belongings by law enforcement officers, since some of the detainees indicate that the police are not returning their phones and other personal belongings seized during the arrest. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

During her visit to France, Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili met with her Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky. In a conversation with Zurabishvili, Zelensky expressed full support for the Georgian people. SOVA 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

❤️A solidarity action with the protests in Tbilisi took place in the center of Riga Residents of Riga took to the streets to express their support for the protesters in Tbilisi. The demonstrators demonstrated in solidarity with the struggle for freedom and democracy in Georgia. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

🔊 Klaxon action in Georgia: a protest against violence A honking action will take place in Georgia. Transparency International-Georgia calls on drivers to stop their cars for five minutes at 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 8, and denounce violence with honks. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

500+ artists from all over the world express solidarity with Georgia "We, artists and cultural figures from all over the world, stand with the Georgian people in their fight against Russian imperialist policies. We express our support for their resistance to Russian imperialism and draw attention to the constant oppression they are subjected to. Today, artists, activists, and cultural figures are on the front lines of the fight against brutal regimes. In recent years, they have been the target of political repression, expulsion from cultural institutions, and now, like other protesters, face violence and detention. Also, with the new "anti-LGBT law" in Georgia, censorship was reinstated and the queer community was under threat. We support them and stand with them Their resistance and spirit inspire us, and we stand with them in the fight for freedom and justice." The list of signatories is constantly updated, and at the moment it already contains more than 500 people. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Sports news portal Europop: “Given the events taking place in our country, naturally, we cannot work in the usual mode. We believe that in this reality, covering sporting events is unacceptable, both morally and physically impossible. We condemn violence! Georgia's future is only in Europe!" 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

An unusual march at protests, but definitely worthy of special attention: Clergy of different faiths came out today to Rustaveli to the Parliament. Video by JamNews 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Civil activist Irakli Koridze was detained in the rented apartment; he regularly went out to protests against the authorities. Friends assume that he was being followed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The detention took place in front of small children. It is not yet known what article and offense he is charged with and where he is. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

The protesters showed the police officers standing in front of them photographs of citizens who had been brutally beaten by their colleagues, the Ministry of Internal Affairs officers, in recent days. Photo by Publika 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Procession on Rustaveli Avenue. For the tenth day now, city residents have been gathering at the Parliament. There will be more people today than yesterday. Video by @DemandNewElections 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

On Facebook, everyone is posting a photo of a protest participant with the caption: "When gas masks were banned in the country." And yes, this is not a joke. Journalist Nanuka Zhorzholiani reported: “Shops have been banned from selling gas masks, helmets and glasses. Large chains have dismantled their stands. "The warehouse stocks are sealed." 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Statement of the Bank of Georgia: "A member of our team, Vako Alavidze, was detained at yesterday's protest. Bank of Georgia lawyers are by his side and doing everything possible to protect his rights and ensure his speedy release. Violence against protesters is absolutely unacceptable to us! For Bank of Georgia, there is no alternative to the path to European integration!" 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

The leader of the For Georgia party, former prime minister and former head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Giorgi Gakharia stated that police forces and informal groups are using violence against peaceful demonstrators without reason. In addition, he noted that more than 500 young people became hostages of Ivanishvili and are now in prison. ❗️According to him, it is the Georgian Dream that is provoking civil confrontation. He accused the founder of the ruling party, Bidzina Ivanishvili, to holding citizens arrested during protests hostage through the law enforcement system. "It must be acknowledged that Ivanishvili seems to have taken the law enforcement system hostage, forcing it to carry out illegal orders. Thus, more than 500 young people are in prison today. Illegally detained citizens are Ivanishvili's hostages. At the moment, we do not know the exact number of these people - there are 500 or slightly more. We also do not know how many of them are injured and where they receive medical care. In fact, the de facto authorities are using violence against Georgian citizens." According to Gakharia, every citizen is obliged to defend their right to fair and peaceful protest. He also addressed the pro-government TV channels Imedi and Rustavi2, noting that their journalists are no different from those who hide behind masks and use physical violence against Georgian citizens. "We have reached an extremely dangerous point, and therefore it is the duty of every citizen of Georgia to exercise the right to a fair and peaceful protest against the de facto authorities. Everyone must take part. There should be many more of us today than yesterday. This should happen in all cities of Georgia." ❗️Gakharia also addressed the employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, of which he was previously the head, and to whom he gave orders to disperse the protests: "I would also like to address the law enforcement agencies. I understand your difficult situation very well. We have always served Georgia, the health and safety of its citizens. It is unthinkable to me how a police officer can be violent or remain indifferent when force is used against a Georgian citizen and he needs help. I am sure that you understand very well what is happening today: the law enforcement system and the police do not serve the citizens and the country, but one inadequate person." 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

Injured “Akhali” deputy Nino Kvitaishvili: "We all know that titushki attacks in the city and their infiltration into the ranks of protesters have become a characteristic feature of the regime. It is important to remember that there is no formal investigation into their violent actions. Three days ago, a group of titushki tried to provoke our comrades. At that moment, Nino Kvitaishvili, a member of our party's political council and Tbilisi Sakrebulo, shielded her comrades, trying to defuse the situation and prevent escalation. As a result, a glass bottle thrown by one of the titushki hit her in the face. She needed surgery and is currently in hospital. The investigative authorities have not even opened an investigation into it, despite the fact that a specific culprit has been identified. I express solidarity to all the victims. The bruises will heal, but those who chose the side of darkness in these events will never regain their human form," writes Nika Melia, one of the party leaders. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

❗️Attacks and beatings in the center of Tbilisi: who is to blame? Tbilisi is receiving information about attacks on protesters in the city center. Witnesses talk about radicals attacking people on Rustaveli Avenue, including local IT workers. The attackers in balaclavas beat the two, and they ended up in the hospital. It is unclear who is behind these events - provocateurs, police or radical groups. The situation remains tense and protests continue. ㅤ 🇪🇺 @EU_Report 🇬🇪

A march from Tbilisi State University to the Georgian Parliament demanding the release of detained protesters. 📹 Radio Tavisupleba 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪

The Georgian Young Lawyers Association (GYLA) stated that the dispersal of the protest action on December 6-7 has entered a new stage of police terror. The Ministry of Internal Affairs used violent methods, including illegal detentions, threats and insults to participants, and interference in the work of journalists. Illegal searches and the use of special means, such as tear gas and water cannons, were also recorded. GYLA calls for an immediate investigation into the police actions and believes that such repression against the civilian population should be classified as crimes against humanity. The association also reminds that systemic and violent repression may become grounds for an appeal to the International Criminal Court. The SJC Social Justice Center calls the dispersal of the peaceful protest on December 6-7 a clear example of human rights violations and abuse by law enforcement agencies. 🔴 The protests, which began on November 28 have been going on for the ninth day. Instead of dialogue, the authorities are resorting to harsh measures: yesterday, police illegally dispersed a peaceful rally, detaining more than 50 people. ⚠️ The police not only illegally detained citizens, but also used special means - water cannons and tear gas, without warning about the use of force. Moreover, detentions took place without any grounds, and citizens heading home were not allowed to leave the territory without threats and persecution. 🛑 Particular attention was drawn to the case of a 19-year-old young man who suffers from epilepsy. His mother asked for her son's release, but the police ignored the request. 🛑 It is particularly alarming that riot police were deployed not only on Freedom Square and near the parliament, but also on Republic Square, creating a ring around peaceful protesters. Demonstrators were unable to leave the area safely, and police detained and harassed people heading home. 🛑 In addition, illegal practices of mass checks and registration of citizens heading to rallies continue. The police detain people without reason, demanding to present documents and entering them into special registers. 🛑 Another disturbing case involves journalist Mindia Gabadze, who was physically attacked while doing his job. Despite the presence of patrol officers, the police did not respond, and the attackers continued to make threats. Not to mention the increasing use of "Men in Black" - unidentified thugs, who are backed by the police and attack protestors. 🇪🇺@EU_Report 🇬🇪