“Based on the factual circumstances established by the case materials, including the indictment issued by the Prosecutor’s Office against Giorgi Gakharia, it has been confirmed that Gakharia did not issue the order to use non-lethal weapons — rubber bullets. The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights has also confirmed that the charges against him are fabricated,” — writes Berdia Sichinava, one of the leaders of the party ‘For Georgia (Gakharia for Georgia)’ on social media, responding to the Strasbourg Court’s ruling on the events of June 20–21, 2019.

According to Sichinava, the defense will submit this decision to the court as exculpatory evidence for Giorgi Gakharia.

He further notes that the events of June 20 will certainly be properly investigated under an independent judiciary, and “the perpetrators and organizers of this crime will not be able to escape responsibility.”

“I welcome the decision of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights on the June 20, 2019 case, which confirms that during the dispersal of the assembly on June 20, the state had the legitimate right to use special means in order to repel attacks on law enforcement officers and the storming of state institutions — which is also established as a factual circumstance in the Court’s ruling.

In individual instances — which we ourselves have been stating for years — there were cases of disproportionate use of force by law enforcement officers, particularly in the use of kinetic means and non-lethal weapons (rubber bullets). According to the Court, this was partly due to inadequate regulations.

Based on the factual circumstances established by the case materials, including the indictment issued by the Prosecutor’s Office against Giorgi Gakharia, it has been confirmed that Giorgi Gakharia did not issue the order to use non-lethal weapons (rubber bullets)!

This decision of the Grand Chamber also confirms that the charges against Gakharia are fabricated. The defense will present this decision in court as exculpatory evidence for Giorgi Gakharia.

The June 20 case will definitely be properly investigated under an independent judiciary, and the perpetrators and organizers of this crime will not be able to evade responsibility.

Politically motivated claims that this decision speaks about Giorgi Gakharia’s legal responsibility are shameless lies!” — writes Berdia Sichinava.

For reference, the European Court of Human Rights has ordered the state to pay compensation to 26 individuals in connection with the so-called “Gavrilov Night” case.

According to the Strasbourg Court’s decision in Tsaava and Others v. Georgia, the state must pay two applicants €75,000 each as compensation for material damages, and another two applicants €85,000 each.

The decision also states that Georgia must pay all complainants varying amounts as compensation for non-pecuniary damages.

Additionally, the state must pay €38,414.99 to 22 applicants to cover legal costs.

The state must compensate the applicants within three months of the judgment’s publication.