The Ombudsman calls on the investigative agencies, as soon as possible, to identify the responsibility of all the alleged perpetrators.

“The Public Defender [PD] of Georgia periodically presents information to the public about the results of visits to the persons arrested at the rallies, including information about alleged use of excessive force against them and ill-treatment.

This time, we would like to inform the public of additional information about the actions taken in response to the incidents of violent actions against opposition political leaders, members of parties, representatives of non-governmental organizations, media outlets and protesters, which were made public by the media.

The PD’s Office has responded to a number of similar cases and addressed the relevant investigative agencies - Special Investigation Service, Prosecutor’s Office, Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In particular, the Office urged the investigative agencies to implement a timely and effective response to the violence carried out against Levan Khabeishvili, Sopo Japaridze, Aleko Elisashvili, Gia Japaridze, Giorgi Mumladze, Boris Chele Kurua, Nodar Chachanidze, Dimitri Chikovani, biker Lasha Gvinianidze, DJ Giorgi Shengelia, civil activist Ana Subeliani’s father, US and Georgian citizen Theodore Jonas and teacher Lado Abkhazava; as well as Publica journalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili and other journalists of the same media, Tabula journalist Giorgi Badridze, Aprili journalist Giorgi Baskhajauli, interference with the activities of TV Pirveli crew, assault IDFI Executive Director Giorgi Klidiashvili and Formula crew; the violent incidents shown in a number of video footage on May 13 and the previous days, including the violence against a citizen on Leonidze Street, the attack on a group of young people at Heroes" Square.

It should be noted that the attacks on representatives of opposition parties, journalists and participants in the rally show signs of persecution of people on the grounds of political, activity and opinion, which categorically contradicts the individual rights of a person guaranteed by the constitution and international acts, as well as the basic principles of a democratic society and the rule of law.

The Ombudsman calls on the investigative agencies, as soon as possible, to identify the responsibility of all the alleged perpetrators and to take appropriate legal measures in order to identify both law-breaking police officers and violent individuals/groups, their organizers and/or instigators. At the same time, the Public Defender definitely believes that the investigation agencies should not ignore the motive of the mentioned misconduct, which is related to the persecution due to different views, professional activities or political positions”, - reads the statement.