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Statement of the Human Rights Center Regarding the Violence Against Peaceful Protesters from the Side of the Supporters of the Georgian Dream
09.09.2025
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On September 8, 2025, in Tbilisi, on Melikishvili Avenue, a preliminarily announced public protest started at 20:00 in front of the election headquarters of the political party Georgian Dream. Despite the risk of a conflict with the protesters, representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were not mobilized at the scene.
The peaceful demonstrators were chanting against authoritarian regime and the Georgian Dream, when they were attacked by an organized group, who got off several cars. In addition, a group of supporters also rushed out of the election headquarters of the Georgian Dream and physically assaulted the protesters, including women, police officers, and journalists. Various objects were thrown at them. Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who were deployed at the scene did not/or could not take measures to prevent attacks. In the end, the police led the protesters away from the area. Several demonstrators received physical injuries, and mobile phones belonging to members of the press were reported missing.
Although numerous direct video recordings were released, which clearly showed the individuals involved in the violence that makes it easy to identify them and establish the criminal acts they committed, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has not detained a single person yet.
In the evening of September 8, the Ministry of Internal Affairs released a statement saying that an investigation had been launched under the Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to violence. It is noteworthy that, in November–December 2024, the MIA initiated an investigation against protesters under the Article 225 of the Criminal Code of Georgia instead of the Article 126. Article 225 refers to organizing, leading, or participating in group violence and carries a sentence of 4 to 6 years of imprisonment. Video evidence circulated in the media, along with statements of the protest participants, clearly indicates that they were subjected to repeated organized attacks, facilitated by the inaction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This was further confirmed by public statements of the members of the Georgian Dream in social networks.
Human Rights Center calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure the protection of the freedom of assembly and expression of peaceful demonstrators.
The Center urges the General Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct a timely and effective investigation into the acts of violence committed on September 8, 2025, to apply the correct legal qualification, promptly identify those involved in the violence, and hold them accountable in accordance with the law.
Human Rights Center
The peaceful demonstrators were chanting against authoritarian regime and the Georgian Dream, when they were attacked by an organized group, who got off several cars. In addition, a group of supporters also rushed out of the election headquarters of the Georgian Dream and physically assaulted the protesters, including women, police officers, and journalists. Various objects were thrown at them. Representatives of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, who were deployed at the scene did not/or could not take measures to prevent attacks. In the end, the police led the protesters away from the area. Several demonstrators received physical injuries, and mobile phones belonging to members of the press were reported missing.
Although numerous direct video recordings were released, which clearly showed the individuals involved in the violence that makes it easy to identify them and establish the criminal acts they committed, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has not detained a single person yet.
In the evening of September 8, the Ministry of Internal Affairs released a statement saying that an investigation had been launched under the Article 126 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to violence. It is noteworthy that, in November–December 2024, the MIA initiated an investigation against protesters under the Article 225 of the Criminal Code of Georgia instead of the Article 126. Article 225 refers to organizing, leading, or participating in group violence and carries a sentence of 4 to 6 years of imprisonment. Video evidence circulated in the media, along with statements of the protest participants, clearly indicates that they were subjected to repeated organized attacks, facilitated by the inaction of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. This was further confirmed by public statements of the members of the Georgian Dream in social networks.
Human Rights Center calls on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to ensure the protection of the freedom of assembly and expression of peaceful demonstrators.
The Center urges the General Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct a timely and effective investigation into the acts of violence committed on September 8, 2025, to apply the correct legal qualification, promptly identify those involved in the violence, and hold them accountable in accordance with the law.
Human Rights Center
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