"We are warning all participants and organizers of the rally that once law enforcement begins to intervene to prevent violent actions in accordance with the law, stringent measures will be implemented, mirroring those adopted in leading countries of America and Europe," stated Teimuraz Kupatadze, the Central Criminal Police Department Director of the Internal Affairs Ministry, during today's briefing.
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The Internal Affairs Ministry dismissed allegations of excessive force by police at rallies against Russian Law as disinformation. During a briefing, officials presented footage of protester raids in various countries to journalists.
Teimuraz Kupatadze highlighted, "The developed world acknowledges that upholding law and order is the primary duty of the police. Furthermore, it's understood that law enforcement officials in all nations possess the authority to act within legal bounds, even if it entails utilizing measures deemed harsh and unacceptable by society."
The Criminal Police Department Director asserts that the recent gatherings and demonstrations in Tbilisi consistently surpassed the regulations set forth for such events. Specifically, he stated, "We witnessed an assault on the legislative body, an endeavor to picket the parliament, and numerous instances of violence directed at law enforcement officers."
"The footage garnered not only the attention of the Georgian media but also that of the international press.
My European counterparts would concur that the response from Georgian law enforcement officers constituted proportionate force and displayed considerable restraint," remarked the Criminal Police director.
Teimuraz Kupatadze emphasized that the Georgian police consistently employs special measures in alignment with internationally recognized standards, adapting to evolving situations, including the recent rallies. He noted that members of the Special Tasks Department have received training at an international level in Georgia, as well as in Germany, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Italy, France, and the Republic of Turkey.
More than 100 peaceful protesters were arrested at the rallies against the Russian Law, which have been ongoing in Tbilisi since April 15. The Internal Affairs Ministry employed water cannons, tear gas, and pepper spray against the rally participants. Despite the of Internal Affairs Ministry denying their use, citizens were also injured by rubber bullets. Personnel from the Special Tasks Department and special forces pursued citizens in narrow streets and physically assaulted them. Opposition deputies of the Georgian Parliament, Aleksandre Elisashvili and Levan Khabeishvili, were also beaten at the rallies. Additionally, force was utilized against journalists.
As per the Public Defender's assessment, the Internal Affairs Ministry had no grounds for employing force at the April 30 rally. The ombudsman reminded the ministry that if rally participants stray from peaceful assembly, only necessary and proportionate measures should be taken against them. "In contrast to the above, law enforcement officers initiated the use of special measures against assembly participants, including peaceful demonstrators, which contradicts the standard of necessary and proportionate intervention in the right," stated Levan Ioseliani.
The international human rights organization, Amnesty International, reported on the crackdown during the April 17 demonstration, stating that instead of aiding the peaceful protest, the police carried out a punitive operation. The organization's statement highlights that police pursued fleeing protesters, striking them with batons, and surrounded them, mercilessly beating those who fell to the ground.
