Reports of physical assaults, intimidation, threats of violence, coercion, and harassment against citizens, journalists, and other individuals continued unabated throughout the year. There was also a lack of accountability in such cases, according to the 2024 Human Rights Report on Georgia published by the U.S. Department of State.

The document notes that from April to June, during large-scale protests in Tbilisi against the so-called “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence,” and from November 28 to December, during demonstrations in support of the European Union, several journalists reported that police attacked them, harassed them, used “pepper spray,” or damaged their equipment.

“On December 7, more than 30 titushki (unidentified assailants typically dressed in all black with their faces covered) physically assaulted protesters and then turned to attack TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze and camera operator Georgi Shetsiruli, who were filming them. After beating Chikhladze and Shetsiruli to the ground, they took away all Shetsiruli’s belongings. According to Chikhladze and witnesses, patrol police standing nearby did not react or intervene to stop the attack. A video posted by civil.ge (the Tbilisi-based daily news website run by Georgian NGO UN Association of Georgia), allegedly taken minutes before titushki attacked journalists, showed signs of coordination between police and assailants. Social media also documented several reported instances of patrol police not intervening when alleged titushki assaulted media and demonstrators, and in some cases appeared to direct or cooperate with titushki.

Journalists and activists reported receiving harassing and threatening telephone calls and instances of vandalism against their homes and offices, including offensive posters and damage to vehicles. The government investigated unauthorized access to citizens’ telephone numbers linked to these events. The media ombudsman identified 15 cases of rights violations and restrictions involving 15 journalists covering protests against the FIL in front of and surrounding parliament in April and May. Several international media watchdogs, along with the media ombudsman and the Council of Europe’s Platform for the Safety of Journalists, reported at least 30 violations of media freedom during October 26 elections, including damage to equipment, verbal or physical attacks, and intimidation. The government had not investigated these reports by year’s end,” the document states.

According to the report, in late November and throughout December, “In late November and throughout December, authorities or unidentified assailants believed to be acting on behalf of the ruling Georgian Dream party violently targeted dozens of media professionals covering protests. The attacks included beatings and exposure to pepper spray, tear gas, and water cannons. Reported severe injuries included fractured vertebrae, facial fractures, and chemical burns; several journalists required hospitalization.”

The document notes that government officials were not held accountable for the violence and harassment.

“Media organizations continued to express concern over the Tbilisi Court of Appeals’ decision to reduce sentences for individuals responsible for violence against peaceful demonstrators in 2021, who were granted amnesty on November 16 based on a bill passed by the ruling party. None of the organizers of these attacks were charged,” the document states.