Police Raids Target Opposition Leaders and Activists Amid Ongoing Protests
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, December 5, 2024
On December 4, Georgian police carried out a series of raids on the homes and offices of opposition leaders, activists, and youth organizations, escalating tensions amid ongoing protests against the government. The searches, arrests, and reported procedural violations have drawn widespread criticism, with many viewing the actions as part of a broader crackdown on dissent.
According to reports, police officers failed to present court-mandated search warrants to property owners or party representatives, despite claiming to possess them. In some cases, entry was allegedly obtained through deceit. Police justified these actions under the "urgent investigative requirement" exception, but the absence of independent witnesses during the searches has raised concerns about their legality.
The raids, which included opposition party offices, saw police loading trucks with confiscated office equipment and other materials. Opposition leaders have criticized these actions as an attempt to disrupt their operations and intimidate their members.
The crackdown led to the detention of several high-profile opposition figures and activists:
- Nika Gvaramia, leader of the Coalition for Change, was arrested during a confrontation with police while attempting to enter his party's office during a search. Live footage showed him being tackled to the ground, rendered unconscious, and dragged into a police vehicle.
- Gela Khasaia, another member of the Coalition, was arrested while filming Gvaramia's detention, despite offering no resistance.
- Zviad Tsetskhladze, founder of the activist group Dafioni, was detained on charges related to his role in organizing protests against government policies, including the controversial Foreign Agents' law.
- Ilia Ghlonti, a leader of the online activist group Daitove, faced a raid on his home during which police confiscated electronic devices. Ghlonti was charged with organizing violent activities, despite the search beginning before his lawyer's arrival.
The police also raided the offices of youth organizations affiliated with the opposition party Unity-UNM and blocked access to journalists and party leaders, including Tinatin Bokuchava and Levan Khabeishvili. Following the searches, members of the youth organization, including Davit Gedenidze, Vakhtang Gagnidze, and others, were arrested.
In addition, the offices of member parties of the Coalition for Change, such as Girchi - More Freedom, Ahali, and Droa, were searched. During one such raid, Gvaramia's attempt to enter the premises resulted in his arrest.
Activists associated with Daitove and Nabiji were similarly targeted, with homes searched and electronic devices seized. In some cases, the police acted without presenting proper documentation, further intensifying allegations of procedural misconduct.
PM Irakli Kobakhidze defended the raids, describing them as "preventative measures" aimed at maintaining public order. He alleged that opposition groups were stockpiling fireworks to incite unrest and referred to an ongoing investigation into an alleged coup attempt. However, these claims remain unsubstantiated, and opposition leaders have dismissed them as baseless propaganda.
The raids and arrests have drawn criticism from opposition groups, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders. Many view the actions as a deliberate attempt to stifle political dissent and dismantle the growing protest movement.
