**Police Crack Down on Tbilisi Protest**
On November 19, police in Georgia used force to break up a protest near Tbilisi State University. About a dozen people were detained, but most have now been released.
According to eyewitnesses, the police began dispersing the rally early in the morning. One journalist who was filming the event was held for several hours before being released. His camera crew is still trying to determine the whereabouts of some of the detainees.
**Journalists and Activists Targeted**
Several journalists were targeted by the police during the crackdown. A cameraman from Mtavari TV was detained, but later released. Another journalist was hospitalized after being pepper-sprayed by police. The Mediaombudsman has called for an investigation into these incidents.
The Coalition for Change reported that several of its members were arrested and injured during the police action. One member suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
**Civil Society Condemns Police Action**
Many civil society organizations have condemned the police’s actions. The Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, the International Society for Fair Elections And Democracy (ISFED), Transparency International Georgia, and the Civil Society Foundation all released statements criticizing the police for violating the rights of peaceful demonstrators and journalists.
The Public Defender of Georgia also spoke out against the police action, saying that there may have been improper treatment or excessive use of force against the protesters. The Ombudsman called on the Ministry of Interior to respect the rights of peaceful assembly and to investigate any cases of possible crimes against journalists and demonstrators.
**Investigations Called For**
The Mediaombudsman has asked the Special Investigation Service to launch an investigation into the incidents during the police crackdown. Many are calling for a full investigation into the actions of the police on November 19.