We are responding to the events on Rustaveli Avenue, where "Georgian Dream" is detaining citizens for participating in assemblies and demonstrations. Since the adoption of the repressive changes, i.e., from October 17th until today, up to 70 demonstrators have been arrested. Some of them have already been sentenced to administrative imprisonment. Yesterday, 29 individuals were arrested under administrative charges, and one person under criminal charge. The administrative detention of these individuals occurred under the repressive laws adopted in recent days.

As is known, since December of last year, the "Georgian Dream" parliament has amended the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations several times. Despite the fact that these changes drew harsh criticism from international organizations, including the Venice Commission, a few days ago "Georgian Dream" tightened the law even further and adopted amendments in an accelerated manner, thereby making rally participants objects of criminal prosecution. For example, wearing a mask or obstructing traffic is now punishable by up to 15 days in prison, and in case of repetition, by one and two years of imprisonment.

It is unequivocal that the main goals of these law changes are:

• To restrict and effectively abolish the right to freedom of expression;
• To intimidate citizens and discourage them from participating in protests;
• To increase self-censorship among citizens with critical opinions;
• To turn organizers and participants of demonstrations into targets of criminal prosecution.
• The criminalization of any protest.

Observation of these recent events makes it clear that the enforcement of these laws and the detentions of demonstrators are happening selectively. Particular targets are individuals well-known to the public, activists, and journalists. The likely purpose of their demonstrative and forceful detention is to spread fear and terror in society regarding participation in demonstrations.

During yesterday's demonstration, it became evident that they are also arresting peaceful citizens standing on the sidewalk, even though this is not prohibited even by the new repressive law.

Some of the detentions were preceded, in previous days, by the searching of citizens in the territory adjacent to Rustaveli Avenue and the sealing of masks seized from them as evidence.

As for the demonstrators identified via video surveillance cameras, they are often detained on the grounds of being taken in for questioning and/or without any explanation and are transferred either to court or to a temporary detention isolator. From the moment of arrest until the transfer to court and/or the temporary detention isolator, the Ministry of Internal Affairs does not provide information about the person's whereabouts to lawyers and family members.

In most cases, lawyers do not have the opportunity to meet the person under their protection before the court hearing. The case hearing in court is scheduled hastily, which mostly has a formal character. The detainees are acquainted with the case materials directly at the court hearing. Lawyers are not given the opportunity to search for evidence, present witnesses, or properly prepare a defense strategy for the case and coordinate it with the detainee.

The police's persecution of people wearing masks has taken an absurd form. There were cases when police officers stopped citizens who were wearing masks due to health problems.

Among the detainees are elderly individuals, mothers of minor children, journalists, writers, actors, doctors, and civil activists.

It is particularly alarming that all these cases are being reviewed by judges who are already sanctioned by several European Union countries. Among these judges are: Zviad Tsekvava, Manuchar Tsatsua, Nino Enukidze, and Koba Chagunava.

We emphasize once again that the only reason for both these undemocratic laws and the form of their enforcement is the government's fear of the ongoing protest in Georgia.

The detainees are being punished for only one reason - for their love of Georgia and devotion to freedom.

#FreedomToTheRegimesHostages