The pardoning of nine protesters in Georgia is welcome, but it does not constitute justice, Amnesty International said in a statement.

Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, responded to the pardoning of individuals who were detained during the protests.

“The release of nine protesters is a welcome development and will be a source of joy for them and their families, but it is not justice. Peaceful protesters who were targeted for demonstrating against the Georgian government should never have been prosecuted simply for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” the statement said.

According to the statement, “it is equally important to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed by police and other security forces.”

“The authorities must stop the abusive use of criminal and administrative proceedings against protesters and ensure that all allegations of unlawful use of force, ill-treatment and other forms of abuse of force by law enforcement officials are independently and effectively investigated, and that those responsible are brought to justice. Everyone detained solely for exercising their rights to freedom of assembly and expression must be released immediately and unconditionally,” the statement said.

For reference, Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili pardoned 226 people in connection with the Mariamoba holiday. Among those pardoned are Avtandil Topchishvili and Tornike Mchedlishvili, who were detained in connection with the October 4 case, as well as Fridon Bubuteishvili, Davit Khomeriki, Simon Makharadze, Saba Jikia, Guram Khutashvili, Daniel Mumladze and Denis Kulanin, who were detained during the protests.