The Democracy Research Center echoes the events developed late at night on November 29-30 and considers that Georgian Dream has made the use of disproportionate force, attacks, and particularly brutal detentions against thousands of peaceful protesters a common practice.

Police forces deployed near the legislative building cracked down on the peaceful demonstration at approximately 00:00, using coercive measures in gross violation of the law. Despite the use of pyrotechnics by the demonstrators, the demonstration had not been violent at any stage, which could have been a prerequisite for the crackdown.

The measures used by the riot police during the crackdown clearly contradict Georgian legislation, the agency’s guidelines and international standards:

·         Inter alia, the guidelines of the Ministry of Internal Affairs prohibit the use of non-lethal weapons against a person at a distance of less than twenty meters, as well as in areas dangerous to the health and life of the body (head, neck, abdomen, genitals). The released footage show that the police forces illegally used rubber bullets against the participants in the peaceful demonstration.

·         In addition, according to international standards, it is strictly recommended not to use tear gas and water cannon simultaneously. Water cannon (especially at low temperatures) and tear gas are used only when necessary to control the group participating in the assembly, given the high degree of violence. Similar to the violation of the November 28-29 protest, tear gas was mixed in the water cannon, which the Ministry of Internal Affairs itself confirmed in a statement on October 21, 2024.

The incidents of physical violence against journalists are particularly worrying. Observations show that police forces deliberately attack media representatives while they are performing their professional activities and physically assault them. A total of 33 journalists were physically assaulted on November 28-29.

The police forces were  detaining and physically assaulting protesters until the dawn of November 30. In total, 107 people were detained for disobeying the lawful request of a police officer and for petty hooliganism, under Articles 166 and 173 of the Administrative Offences Code. According to the lawyers of the coalition of NGOs, most of the detainees were beaten. The whereabouts of some of them are still unknown.

The purpose of using coercive measures is to protect state institutions, public order and the demonstrators themselves. Nevertheless, the methods used by the police forces demonstrate that their main goal is to physically punish peaceful participants in the demonstration, intimidate them and further strengthen the repressive policy.

The Democracy Research Center calls on:

·         the law enforcement officers - not to execute an illegal order, be guided by legislation of Georgia and professional dignity.

·         the Special Investigation Service - to immediately investigate crimes committed by law enforcement officers and act in accordance with legislation of Georgia.