Monitors of the Democracy Research Institute observed the trials of civil activists detained in front of the Parliament building on December 31.

One of the trials was postponed during the evidence examination stage, while the activist involved in another trial was fined for the administrative offences under Articles 166 and 173 of the Administrative Offences Code.

The trials began an hour late. Some of the attendees were unable to attend the trials because of incorrect indication of the courtrooms.

Interrogation of patrol police officers as witnesses at the trial revealed alleged abuse of authority by the employees of the Security Service of Tbilisi City Hall, namely:

• Performance of police functions - withdrawal of demonstrators against their will from the area of the Parliament of Georgia;
• Removal of demonstrators' tents and personal belongings from the area of the Parliament of Georgia and the use of force in the mentioned

According to the regulations of the Security Service of City Hall, the mandate of Service is limited to ensuring security of City Hall facilities, parks and squares. The Service staff are not allowed to disperse an assembly or demonstration, use force or otherwise perform police functions.

The Democracy Research Institute considers that it is inadmissible for the Tbilisi City Hall Security Service to perform police functions and exceed the mandate under law. In order to prevent future abuse of the mandate, it is important to clearly separate the powers and functions of the City Security Service and Police in practice.

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Monitors of the Democracy Research Institute continue to monitor the protests of political content and the trials of demonstrators detained during the mentioned protests. The monitoring was financially suppoorted by the Open Society Georgia Foundation within the framework of the "Rallies Under Observation” project.