Georgian Prime Minister Appoints Sanctioned Official as Vice-Prime Minister
On December 20, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze appointed Vakhtang Gomelauri, the country’s Interior Minister, as Vice-Prime Minister. Just a day earlier, the US, UK, Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia had sanctioned Gomelauri for alleged human rights abuses.
The sanctions were imposed over concerns that Gomelauri had given orders that violated the human rights and freedoms of protesters, journalists, and opposition members during recent anti-government protests. However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has denied any wrongdoing by its officers.
The MIA claims that protests turned violent due to demonstrators bringing objects such as stones and pyrotechnics to attack police officers. The ministry says it used special measures only after warnings were given to protesters through official statements and sound equipment.
Regarding injured protesters, the MIA claims that they were arrested for being violent and resisting police officers. This led to both protesters and police officers getting hurt. However, many live footage recordings contradict this claim.
The MIA also accuses protesters of committing crimes such as theft and vandalism during protests on Rustaveli Avenue. The ministry is cooperating with an investigation into the alleged excessive use of force by police officers.
Regarding allegations that police took away personal belongings from detained protesters, the MIA says it has the right to do so according to Georgian law. However, this contradicts testimonies from many detainees who claim their belongings were taken and not returned.
The appointment of Gomelauri as Vice-Prime Minister has sparked outrage in Georgian society due to allegations of police brutality against peaceful protesters and media representatives. Human rights groups point out that police officers involved in dispersals often wear masks, making it hard to identify them. There have also been reports and footage showing coordination between patrol police and state-paid thugs attacking protesters, media, and opposition.
So far, no law enforcement officer has been arrested for using excessive force against protesters or media representatives.