The NGO Transparency International Georgia stated on January 20 that Georgian authorities use force against civic activists selectively, disproportionately and unreasonably.

The organization said in its report that the court used administrative detention and solid amount of fines against the activists detained during the June 20-21 unrest in Tbilisi without relevant substantiation and evidence.

According to TI Georgia, the court decisions are mainly based on testimonies of police officers.

“Georgian authorities use force against civic activists selectively, disproportionately and unreasonably. The court used administrative detention and solid amount of fines against the activists detained on June 20-21. Civil society organizations are carefully watching the demonstrations following the June protests. The monitoring results show that police do not even provide explanation to the detainees on their minimum rights, defined by the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia. Moreover, during the court hearings, representatives of Interior Ministry are unable to provide evidence to prove lawfulness of detention,” TI Georgia said adding that the fine against the activists amounted from GEL 1000 to 2500.

“Taking into consideration the current economic situation in Georgia and the fact that demonstrators participating in ongoing protest rallies, are often students of higher educational institutions, it can be considered that court verdicts place heavy financial burden on demonstrators,” the organization said.

TI Georgia noted that such sanctions might indicates authorities’ desire to have a nettling effect on protest movement and to ensure that critically disposed population would refrain from using their right to assembly and manifestations in the future.