PACE Rapporteurs Express Concern Over Arrests, Police Brutality, and Impunity in Georgia
By Liza Mchedlidze
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
The PACE monitoring rapporteurs for Georgia, Claude Kern (France, ALDE) and Edite Estrela (Portugal, SOC), expressed deep concern on December 9 regarding the recent arrests and pretrial detentions of opposition and protest leaders, along with police raids on their offices. These actions, according to the rapporteurs, were carried out on questionable legal grounds, with reference to controversial provisions in Georgia's administrative offences code, which they argue is prone to political abuse.
The rapporteurs condemned the violence and excessive use of force by police during the arrests, raising concerns about the potential for politically motivated prosecutions. "This raises questions about the possibility of politically motivated prosecution and justice, which have no place in a democratic society based on rule of law," said Kern and Estrela.
The rapporteurs also strongly criticized the ongoing police brutality against journalists and peaceful demonstrators, including young people, which has been repeatedly confirmed by the Georgian Public Defender. "There seems to be a sense of impunity for police violence and excessive use of force against protesters and journalists, which is unacceptable," they emphasized.
Kern and Estrela called on the Georgian authorities to respect the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, as required by their obligations as a member of the Council of Europe. They also urged the authorities to conduct full, transparent investigations into all reports of police violence and hold those responsible accountable.
