The Special Investigation Service of Georgia [SIS] has issued a statement regarding the criminal cases initiated against participants in the protest rallies in November / December 2024.

“The SIS is actively investigating cases under Article 333, Part 3, Subparagraph ‘b,’ and Article 154, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Georgia. These pertain to the violent abuse of official authority against protest participants and the illegal interference with journalists’ professional activities during the protests in Tbilisi in November / December 2024.

The SIS has taken prompt legal action on each notification received. A total of 343 individuals have been questioned, including 49 journalists.

Forensic medical examinations have been ordered from the Levan Samkharauli National Forensics Bureau [NFB] for 226 people injured during the protests.

The SIS is thoroughly reviewing surveillance camera footage from the protest site and adjacent streets, as well as recordings obtained from other sources, amounting to over 1,400 hours of video.

For evidence collection, based on court orders, clothing from 59 individuals has been seized, and examinations for biological and trace evidence have been ordered.

Materials related to the temporary detention facilities and the Tbilisi City Court concerning the administrative proceedings of detained protesters are also being requested and analyzed.

The questioning of law enforcement officers involved in the police operations and the detention of injured citizens is ongoing.

Based on the evidence gathered by the SIS, the Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has already granted victim status to 52 individuals.

The SIS is utilizing all legal means to protect the rights of citizens injured during the protest. To this end, each person is undergoing medical examinations; medical documents are being requested from clinics to document their injuries; and the investigation is thoroughly examining all circumstances reported during their questioning.

Each individual and their legal representatives are granted access to review criminal case materials and are kept fully informed about the ongoing investigation process.

The SIS is also actively investigating the attack on TV Pirveli employees that occurred on December 7, 2024, on Griboedov Street in Tbilisi, intending to identify the perpetrators.

52 people have been questioned as part of this investigation.

A habitoscopic examination has been ordered at the NFB for footage depicting the attack, as well as for surveillance camera recordings obtained from the scene and nearby streets, which captured the movements of members of the criminal group, to identify individuals and compare them with persons of interest in the investigation.

Following a request from TV Pirveli, a memory card was seized by a court order on January 16, 2025, and its contents will undergo relevant examinations.

A computer forensics examination has been ordered for mobile phones and other electronic storage devices seized during personal and house searches to recover stored information.

Biological-genetic and trace evidence, along with chemical examinations, are being conducted at the NFB to determine any possible physical contact between persons of interest and the victims, as well as to establish genetic profiles.

The SIS is actively cooperating with the NFB regarding ongoing examinations.

As the public is aware, journalist Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli have been recognized as victims.

The case is being investigated under Article 154, Part 2; Article 118, Part 2; and Article 178, Part 3, Subparagraph ‘a’ of the Criminal Code of Georgia for interference with journalistic activities, robbery, and infliction of health damage.

The SIS will provide additional information to the public regarding the investigation outcome”, - reads the statement.