**Protesters Face Harsh Treatment in Georgian Justice System**
The justice system in Georgia has been facing criticism from watchdogs, who have reported worrying trends. These include using law enforcement against pro-European protesters, unfair trials, and detention without proper justification.
**Report Highlights Abuse of Power**
Three organizations – Transparency International (TI) – Georgia, European Orbit, and the Rule of Law Center – have released a report on dozens of individuals detained during protests from April 2024 to January 2025. The document lists names, charges, current status, and judge’s name for each case.
**54 People Prosecuted After Elections**
Following the 2024 parliamentary elections, 54 people were prosecuted. Of these, 40 are currently in pre-trial detention. In relation to the protests against the foreign agents’ law, 10 people were arrested, with three being released due to various reasons.
**Fair Trial Concerns**
The report highlights that state institutions, such as the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Prosecutor’s Office, and courts, use coordinated actions against individuals involved in pro-European protests. “These individuals do not have the right to a fair trial,” the report states.
**Judiciary Independence Problem**
The document also points out the problem of judicial independence, stating that judges’ decisions often repeat the prosecution’s arguments and ignore individual circumstances. Defendants frequently report procedural violations, such as police ill-treatment and coerced testimony, which are ignored by courts.
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