The Center for the Study of Democracy is responding to the events that took place late at night on November 29-30 and believes that the "Georgian Dream" has made the use of disproportionate force, attacks, and particularly brutal detentions against thousands of peaceful protesters the norm.

The organization has released a statement calling the government’s actions “a severe repressive policy” and accusing the Georgian Dream of ignoring the right to assembly and expression.

According to them, in addition to the protest participants, 33 journalists were physically assaulted on November 28-29.

“Police forces, who were stationed in the vicinity of the legislative body, dispersed the peaceful protest at approximately 00:00 using coercive measures in gross violation of the law. Despite the use of pyrotechnics by the participants of the demonstration, the demonstration did not take on a violent character at any stage, which could have become a prerequisite for its dissolution.

The measures used by the police forces during the dispersal of the demonstration clearly contradict the Georgian legislation, the agency’s manual and international standards:

The manual of the Ministry of Internal Affairs also prohibits the use of non-lethal weapons against a person at a distance of more than twenty meters, as well as in areas dangerous to the health and life of the body (in the head, neck, abdomen, genitals). The footage released confirms that the police forces illegally used rubber bullets against the participants of the peaceful demonstration.

In addition, according to international standards, it is strictly recommended not to use tear gas and water cannon simultaneously. Water cannon (especially at low temperatures) and tear gas are used only when necessary to control the group participating in the assembly, given the high degree of violence. Similar to the disruption of the November 28-29 protest, tear gas was mixed into the water cannon, which the Ministry of Internal Affairs itself confirmed in a statement on October 21, 2024.

The facts of physical violence against journalists are particularly worrying. Observations show that police forces deliberately attack media representatives while they are carrying out their professional activities and physically assault them. According to the organization, a total of 33 journalists were physically assaulted on November 28-29.

Police forces detained and physically assaulted protesters until dawn on November 30. In total, 107 people have been detained by law enforcement officers for disobeying a lawful request of a police officer and petty hooliganism under Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. According to lawyers from the NGO Coalition, most of those detained were beaten. The whereabouts of some of them are still unknown.

The purpose of using coercive measures is to protect state institutions, public order, and the demonstrators themselves. Nevertheless, the methods used by the police forces demonstrate that their main goal is to physically punish peaceful participants of the demonstration, intimidate them, and further strengthen the repressive policy.

The Center for the Study of Democracy calls on:

Representatives of law enforcement agencies not to execute illegal orders. Be guided by Georgian legislation and professional dignity.

The Special Investigation Service should immediately investigate cases of crimes committed by law enforcement officers and act in accordance with applicable legislation," the organization said in a statement.