Georgian watchdogs have called on the Special Investigation Service (SIS), which is mandated by law to investigate violent crimes committed against public officials, to release information about the cases it has investigated in relation to the crackdown of anti-foreign agents rallies that took place in April and may 2024. They also claim that, given the history of abuses committed by law enforcement officials, and the impunity that results, the Ministry of Interior’s recent announcement of the creation of territorial units to protect the public order during the elections in October raises concerns that the units could be used to neutralize government opponents.
CSOs claim that during the rallies there were numerous incidents of ill treatment by law enforcement officials, including physical and verbal retaliation. Women, children, opposition politicians, journalists, and law enforcement officers were beaten by the officers.
The statement also stated that there were reports of excessive force and ill-treatment by law enforcement officers during detention, “which required some detainees seeking medical treatment and undergoing emergency surgery”. According to the Public Defender (more than 200 people), more than half the citizens arrested at the rallies reported abuse by law enforcement officials. This was backed up by evidence collected by civil societies organizations.
The statement states that despite calls from CSOs and the Public Defender of Georgia to the SIS for it to investigate the cases mentioned, neither the SIS or Prosecutor’s Office reported identification or indictment of possible perpetrators involved. This was as of October 9,2024. There is no information on the suspension of law-enforcement officials during the investigation.
The CSOs claim that “based on publicly-available information, the investigations conducted by the Service regarding the criminal cases relating to the events of April-May 2024 and March 7-9,2023, can be described merely as formal and lacking substantial results.” They also state that the Service has demonstrated a lack accountability to the public by failing to provide accurate updates about the progress of these investigation and not issuing any statement on the investigative activities.
The undersigned organizations are concerned that the ineffectiveness in the SIS investigation of human rights violations during dispersal of rally in April-May of 2024 is directly related to concerns over the security of the upcoming elections day, which creates a culture of impunity. The statement states that “All those involved in the electoral process, including candidates, election staff and voters, must be assured that their participation won’t subject them to intimidation or threats.”
In this context, the statement notes that the newly issued decree from the Interior Ministry mandates the creation territorial groups to detect violations of the law around and during the elections.
CSOs are concerned that, according to the order issued by the government, employees from agencies that are responsible for riot control during the dispersal of rallies will be involved in the process. They are particularly concerned about the involvement of Zviad Kharazishvili, a.k.a. “Khareba”, who has been sanctioned for human rights violations by the U.S., in the recruitment and formation of these territorial groups.
The statement also refers Kharazishvili admitting that he has created a list of targets for the regime, and that there has not been any investigation into Kharazishvili’s actions and remarks.
The watchdogs are concerned about the possibility that these territorial units could once again be used to neutralize people who are not liked by the government.
The CSOs ask the Special Investigation Service:
* Provide detailed information to the public regarding the investigation of the crimes committed during the protests against Russian law in April and May 2024 by law enforcement officials.
* Inform the public if high-ranking officials of Ministry of Internal Affairs have been interviewed in the ongoing investigation, including the head of Special Tasks Department, and his deputy.
Signatories include: Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, Social Justice Center, Partnership for Human Rights Rights-Georgia, Transparency International Georgia; Georgian Democracy Initiative; Democracy Research Institute
* 08/10/204 – Watchdog: Involvement in Election Monitoring of U.S. sanctioned official “Unacceptable”.
* 16/09/2024: BREAKING NEWS: U.S. Sanctions New Persons for Undermining Democracies
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