According to the information provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 11 demonstrators were arrested at the rally against Russian Law on April 16, 2024. Although this is not the final number of detainees, the police continue to illegally interfere with the freedom of assembly of citizens, detain peaceful demonstrators yet again, and in certain cases, there are cases of severe physical retaliation against citizens. Despite numerous attempts, the Ministry of Internal Affairs does not provide the lawyers with information about the whereabouts of the detainees.

We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to stop physical retaliation against peaceful demonstrators and also to timely provide the lawyers with information about the whereabouts of the detainees. We call on Special Investigative Service to investigate the crimes committed by the police officers.

Transparency International Georgia

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association

Georgian Democracy Initiative

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy

Social Justice Center

Women’s Initiative Supporting Group

Human Rights Center

Rights Georgia

Civil Society Foundation