Social Justice Center Criticizes Protracted Trial of Two Political Activists in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Friday, November 22, 2024
On November 21, the Social Justice Center (SJC) issued a statement condemning the prolonged trial of political activists Saba Meparishvili and Omar Okribelashvili, who have been detained since May 14, 2024. Both individuals face 3 to 6 years in prison for allegedly damaging a GEL 400 (USD 146) iron barrier during protests against Georgia's controversial Foreign Agents Law. The SJC argues that their continued detention and the charges against them represent the political manipulation of Georgia's judicial system and an attempt to punish political activism unjustly.
The activists are charged under Article 187, Part Two, Subsection "c" of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to the destruction of property as part of a group. This provision was introduced in 2023, following the initial attempts by the Georgian government to pass the Foreign Agents Law, a highly contentious piece of legislation that sparked protests across the country. The SJC points out that the amendment has been used against political activists in a problematic manner and argues that the law's justification remains unclear, as the explanatory note for the amendment was never made public.
The organization further critiques the use of imprisonment in these cases, arguing that European Court of Human Rights rulings highlight that imprisonment should only be used when there is a clear risk of the defendant influencing evidence or posing a danger to the administration of justice. The SJC maintains that neither Meparishvili nor Okribelashvili can interfere with potential evidence in the case, and therefore their continued detention is disproportionate and unjustified.
The trial has experienced significant delays, with court sessions scheduled two months apart, and the last session held on September 23. The SJC claims that the postponements are part of an effort to delay the process until President Salome Zourabichvili's term ends in December 2024, potentially paving the way for a presidential pardon. The two-month period for reviewing pre-trial detention ends on November 23, but the SJC believes that these delays are designed to ensure that the case will not reach a conclusion before the president's term expires.
Highlighting the broader implications of the trial, the SJC argues that these cases exemplify Georgia's "unfair criminal justice policies" and reveal the increasing politicization of the country's judiciary and prosecutor general's office. The SJC asserts that the government is attempting to maintain its legitimacy and resolve the political crisis through disproportionate legal measures.
The organization concluded its statement by urging the Tbilisi City Court to issue a final decision on the cases of Meparishvili and Okribelashvili in a timely manner, based solely on credible and objective evidence.
