On January 11, the illegal detention of peaceful demonstrators was accompanied by the use of force by the police

According to the information available to the Legal Aid Network of non-governmental organizations, on January 11, 2025, police in Tbilisi and Batumi detained more than ten peaceful demonstrators. Some of them are still being held in temporary detention facilities. Detainees, when communicating with their lawyers, reported targeted and unlawful use of force by the police. In this context, there were not only cases of excessive use of force during and after the detentions but also instances of ill-treatment, which included physical, psychological, and verbal abuse. Throughout the night, lawyers attempted to meet with the detainees and provide them with legal assistance.

Notably, one of the detainees, due to injuries sustained to the head, requires prompt medical attention and is currently in a medical facility. However, he is still considered detained. Despite multiple requests from the lawyer, the Ministry of Internal Affairs unjustifiably refuses to release him on a personal guarantee. According to current information, the detainee will remain under medical supervision until tomorrow.

Lawyers tried for several hours to visit Mzia Amaghlobeli, the founder and director of "Batumelebi." The journalist was detained under administrative procedures and released on a personal guarantee but was re-arrested shortly thereafter. She is currently in a temporary detention facility, and investigators say she may be charged within 48 hours under Article 3531 of the Criminal Code for an alleged attack on a police officer. This offense carries a prison sentence ranging from four to seven years. The journalist speaks of ill-treatment by the police.

Lawyers from the Legal Aid Network of non-governmental organizations continue to protect the rights of peaceful demonstrators.

Signatory Organizations:

Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association (GYLA) 

Civil Society Foundation 

Transparency International Georgia (TIG) 

The Women’s Initiatives Supporting Group (WISG) 

Rights Georgia (RG) 

Democracy Research Institute (DRI) 

Georgian Democracy Initiative (GDI) 

Union Of Human Rights Defenders - Human Rights Center 

International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) 

Partnership for Human Rights (PHR) 

Social Justice Center (SJC) 

Tolerance and Diversity Institute (TDI) 

Institute for Development of Freedom of Information (IDFI)