As is known to the public, for years the Public Defender has been pointing out the incorrect practice of law enforcement agencies, during which personal searches of those arrested on drug charges were conducted without any attempt to create or obtain neutral evidence. The Public Defender's study of the recent cases of persons accused of drug crimes makes it clear that the investigation did not attempt to obtain neutral evidence that would confirm the situation described in the police officers' testimonies about the circumstances of the personal search or detention, including the different information provided by the accused and the witness. According to the Public Defender, this incorrect practice established by the police officers contradicts the standards established by the Constitutional Court of Georgia, as well as the practice of the European Court of Human Rights.

Considering the problematic nature and importance of the issue, the Public Defender submitted the amicus curiae opinions to Tbilisi City Court regarding the criminal cases of Giorgi Ahobadze, Tevdore Abramov, and Nikoloz Katsia. It is noteworthy that Tbilisi City Court has already acquitted two of the defendants.

Within the scope of his authority, the Public Defender has access to the materials of completed criminal cases, therefore, the Public Defender of Georgia, on his own initiative or upon the application of interested persons, continues to evaluate other completed criminal cases or those pending in Tbilisi City Court and examines the violation of procedural rights guaranteed by the legislation of Georgia.

In addition, during the past night, the Public Defender's representatives visited 11 persons detained on administrative charges on Rustaveli Avenue.

The detainees reported alleged excessive force, verbal abuse and ill-treatment by the police. Several of them had visible injuries on their bodies, mainly swelling, redness and bruises on their limbs. The Public Defender's representatives are currently continuing to visit the detainees. The Public Defender will take appropriate action to respond to the cases of ill-treatment and will continue to monitor the ongoing legal proceedings.

In addition, the Public Defender will focus on the police officers’ harsh attitude and use of force towards protesters during their detention and will once again remind law enforcement agencies that the force used during police actions must be proportionate and necessary. The Public Defender, after additional study, will respond appropriately to this issue.

It is noteworthy that the issue of using proportional force when taking appropriate measures is also problematic in the buildings of common courts, where bailiffs may abuse their authority against citizens. The Office will also take measures regarding this issue as well, after additional study and assessment within the framework of its mandate.

The Public Defender of Georgia also echoes the information disseminated through social networks and media platforms, including by politicians and public figures, about one of the participants in the rally (a citizen with alleged mental health problems). The dissemination of health information in this form grossly violates the right to protection of a special category of personal data of a person and infringes on human dignity. In addition, it reinforces existing stereotypical attitudes towards mental health and incites discrimination.

The Public Defender of Georgia once again calls on politicians, public figures and media outlets to prevent placing individuals in unequal conditions on the basis of mental health and to refrain from spreading statements that reinforce stigma.

The Public Defender also echoes the recent statements of various public figures, including Ms. Salome Zurabishvili, which are of a disinformational nature, aimed at tarnishing the reputation of the Public Defender's institution, increasing distrust towards the institution, and harming the process of protecting human rights. The Public Defender reminds everyone that it is a constitutional and independent institution that independently supervises and assesses events without any interference and informs the public in an appropriate manner.