Georgia’s Special Investigation Service probes allegations of law enforcement abuse against protesters, journalists

The Special Investigation Service of Georgia on Friday launched an investigation into allegations of law enforcement officers' abuse of power during a rally outside the Parliament building in the capital city of Tbilisi, where demonstrators protested the Government's decision to suspend the country's European Union accession talks until 2028.

A spokesperson for the Service told Imedi TV the investigation had been initiated following reports and video footage captured by media organisations during the rally, which took place late on Thursday and into Friday.

The focus of the investigation is on incidents involving both rally participants and media representatives, concerning the formal articles on “abuse of official power”.The agency told the channel it was “actively conducting all necessary investigative actions.”

The Georgian Interior Ministry earlier today said law enforcement had arrested 43 individuals during the protests overnight for “disobedience to police orders” and “petty hooliganism”.

The police detentions followed a night of confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement, with the Ministry saying an investigation had also been launched under the criminal code for alleged attacks on police officers or public institutions and property damage “using dangerous means”.

The body further reported injuries to 32 police officers, with 13 requiring surgery.

Twenty-two journalists and cameramen were reportedly assaulted during the rally dispersal, domestic media also reported.