Special Investigation Service launches investigation on alleged abuse of power by law enforcement at Tbilisi rally

Georgia’s Special Investigation Service on Thursday announced it was investigating alleged instances of abuse of power by law enforcement officers during protests in central Tbilisi against the controversial domestic bill on transparency of foreign influence.

The Agency said it had received 22 notifications from citizens, journalists, non-governmental organisations and the Public Defender's Office regarding the “possible abuse of force and injury” from actions by law enforcement officers. 

Georgian police arrested 133 individuals during the protests outside the Parliament in central Tbilisi on Tuesday and Wednesday, the Ministry of Internal Affairs announced on Thursday.

The Ministry said the arrests had been made for “violation of public order [and] rule of law”, adding one of the arrested protesters had been detained for assault of a law enforcement officer.

The protests were called against the proposed bill that involved registration of non-commercial legal entities and media outlets in the country as “agents of foreign influence” if they derive more than 20 percent of their funding from abroad.

It passed the first hearing at the Parliament this week but was met with criticism by domestic opposition, civil sector and Georgia’s international partners. The ruling party announced the bill’s withdrawal on Thursday.