The Democracy Research Center echoes the events developed in Tbilisi and Batumi on January 11-12, 2025, when police forces arrested about 20 peaceful protesters, some of which were later released after signing the relevant document.[1]

According to international standards, everyone has the right to personal liberty. Detention of a person is permissible only in accordance with the law and it should not be arbitrary. According to the Democracy Research Center, as in the past few months, the police detained demonstrators arbitrarily in this case too, in gross violation of the law. In almost no case was there a legal ground for the detention. In addition, according to reports, the majority of those detained became victims of ill-treatment by the police - they also suffered physical injuries.[2] Lawyers again faced a barrier to communicate with the detainees - they spent several hours trying to obtain information about the whereabouts of the detainees.

Over the past few months, it has become especially noticeable that journalists have been directly targeted by law enforcement officers. In November-December alone, there had been more than 90 cases of attacks on journalists, physical abuse, illegal detentions and deliberate use of active special equipment against them.[3] The protest of January 11-12 was no exception in this regard. Guram Murvanidze, a cameraman and photographer of Batumelebi, was detained on administrative charges near the Constitutional Court of Batumi while carrying out his professional activities, namely covering a rally.[4]

According to international standards, journalists who expose human rights violations, corruption, and ill-treatment should be subject to special protection. Journalists should not become victims of illegal detention and/or criminal prosecution due to their activities.[5]

On January 12, late at night, the founder and editor of Batumelebi, Mzia Amaglobeli, was arrested twice - initially under administrative rule (for putting up a sticker on the wall) - on the grounds of disobedience to the lawful order of the police (she was then released), and later, under criminal law. She is likely to be charged with committing a crime under part 1 of Article 3531 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to assault on a police officer and provides for 4 to 6 years of imprisonment.[6]

Politicians and civil activists are among those detained in Tbilisi and Batumi on January 11-12.[7] Almost all of them are detained on administrative charges, on the grounds of petty hooliganism and disobedience to the lawful orders of law enforcement officers.

The recent developments - complete disregard for human rights (through gross violations of international standards, legislation of Georgia, and severe repressive policies) - demonstrate that the main goal of Georgian Dream is to instill fear in people and eliminate free speech/dissent in the country.