Ombudsman urges Interior Ministry to “safeguard” freedom of peaceful assembly following opposition rally dispersal in Tbilisi

Levan Ioseliani, the Georgian Public Defender, on Tuesday called on the Interior Ministry to ensure the protection of rights of peaceful assembly after law enforcement dispersed an opposition rally on central Melikishvili Avenue in Tbilisi earlier in the day and reportedly detained 16 individuals.

The arrests followed the dismantling of protest camps erected by demonstrators who are demanding a rerun of last month’s general elections. Law enforcement had previously warned the protesters about violations of assembly laws.

The rally, organised by opposition groups Coalition for Change and Unity - National Movement, involved blocking key areas near central Chavchavadze Avenue and Varaziskhevi with tents, vehicles, and construction materials. 

The protests were sparked by the Central Election Commission’s announcement last week, with the body declaring the ruling Georgian Dream party victorious with 53.93 percent of the vote and 89 parliamentary seats. Opposition leaders have dismissed the results as “rigged” and demanded a fresh vote.

Ioseliani stressed the protest had been “peaceful and compliant with assembly standards” at the time of the arrests. His office raised concerns over potential mistreatment and excessive use of force during the police intervention.

Among the detainees was journalist Sergi Baramidze, who was reportedly performing his professional duties at the time of his arrest, the Office noted, highlighting the illegality of interfering with journalistic activities.

The Public Defender calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure the freedom of peaceful assembly, refrain from obstructing journalists, and strictly adhere to the principles of necessity and proportionality when employing detention measures or special means”, the statement said.

Ioseliani also urged the Special Investigation Service to “thoroughly probe” allegations of misconduct against journalists and demonstrators and keep the public informed of their findings.

The Public Defender’s Office noted its representatives had previously visited three individuals detained during a protest outside the Central Election Commission last week and noted they had alleged “improper treatment”, including verbal abuse and unethical behaviour, by police officers. 

The cases have been referred to the Special Investigation Service and the Ministry’s General Inspection, the Public Defender’s Office said.