NGOs Demand Release of Detained Protestors in Batumi, Georgia, Citing Interference in Freedom of Expression
By Messenger Staff
Monday, June 5, 2023
Non-governmental organizations Transparency International - Georgia (TI) and the International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (ISFED) are responding to the developments in Batumi.
According to the NGO, it is worrisome that the Ministry of Internal Affairs continues the practice of illegally arresting peaceful protestors, which is a gross interference in the freedom of expression and contradicts both the Georgian Constitution and internationally recognized standards.
They call on the agency to stop arresting peaceful protestors, illegal restrictions on freedom of expression, and immediately release all detainees.
"We are responding to the events that took place in Europe Square in Batumi. Yesterday, June 3, the police arrested six people, including 2 minors, for unfurling banners at a peaceful rally in Batumi.
It is worrisome that the Ministry of Internal Affairs still continues the practice of illegally arresting participants of a peaceful protest, which is a gross interference in the freedom of expression and contradicts both the Georgian Constitution and internationally recognized standards.
As it is known, on June 2, in front of the Parliament in Tbilisi, 7 participants of a peaceful assembly were arrested because of banners with similar content, and they were taken to temporary detention centers in Telavi, Gurjaani and Dusheti.
Until now, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has not made any clarification regarding the need to transfer detainees to regional isolation cells. This raises suspicions that the reason for this decision could be the limitation of the right of defense for the detainees and the obstruction of unhindered communication with the lawyers.
It should also be noted that the detention period of the detainees was extended up to 48 hours without justification.
We consider the tendency of arbitrary and unlawful arrests of peaceful protest participants by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to be worrying.
We call on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to stop arresting the participants of the peaceful protest, illegal restriction of freedom of expression and to immediately release all those arrested," the statement read.
