Transparency International (TI) Georgia stated that Georgian authorities use force against civic activists “selectively, disproportionately and unreasonably”.

According to TI, the court used “administrative detention and solid amount of fines” against the activists detained during the June 20/21 unrest in Tbilisi without relevant substantiation and evidence, “neglecting the right to a fair trial”.

“The same practice continued against the persons detained during other protests as well. The civil society organizations are “carefully watching” the demonstrations following the June protests.

Police do not even provide explanation to the detainees on their minimum rights, defined by the Administrative Offences Code of Georgia. Moreover, during the court hearings, it said, representatives of Interior Ministry are unable to provide evidence to prove lawfulness of detention.

The court decisions are mainly based on testimonies of police officers. Even in cases when interior ministry representatives provided video materials as evidence, mainly, they showed no facts of violations committed by the detainees”, - said TI.