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CRIMINAL JUSTICE /
Statement
The Coalition Addresses the Cases of Individuals Arrested and Imprisoned as a Part of the Systemic Repression
The judiciary is an accomplice to systemic repression. The right to a fair trial for individuals arrested and imprisoned as part of the systematic political repressions that began after November 28 has effectively been revoked. This is confirmed by the substantial violations established during the hearings of the cases involving people detained under administrative and criminal law, as well as by the intermediate and final outcomes of these cases.
On November 28, 2024, Irakli Kobakhidze announced that "Georgian Dream" would remove the issue of opening negotiations on EU membership from the government agenda until the end of 2028. In response to this decision, which contradicts the Constitution of Georgia, a large-scale, continuous, and legitimate protest began on the same day. While Georgian citizens defend Georgia's European future and demand new elections, the "Georgian Dream" is using various repressive mechanisms at its disposal against the demonstrators.
After November 28, hundreds of people fell victim to systematic and brutal repression. Cases involving individuals who have suffered repression, as well as torture, inhumane treatment, and violence, are being heard in courts. However, the handling of these cases has nothing to do with the administration of justice or the right to a fair trial.
The court turns a blind eye to torture and political retribution, and, in general, stifles basic human rights and freedoms through the malicious use of procedural mechanisms. The use of administrative detention against victims of brutal violence, inhumane and degrading treatment, and the recognition of individuals as lawbreakers based solely on the statements of Ministry of Internal Affairs representatives, disregarding the instances of cruel and inhumane treatment, the use of imprisonment as a preventive measure without proper grounds - is just an incomplete list of systemic violations.
The Coalition believes that the right to a fair trial for individuals arrested and imprisoned as part of political repression has been de facto revoked. The Coalition joins the demand for the immediate release of all those arrested and imprisoned, as well as the termination of politically motivated proceedings against them.
