Due to the suspension of the European integration process by the “Georgian Dream” and the establishment of consolidated authoritarianism, peaceful protest actions are continuously ongoing nationwide for the 10th day. The government, in various forms, illegally disrupts the gatherings of the participants of the action and the freedom of expression and uses various strategies of brutal violence. If in the previous days the special forces mainly oppressed the demonstrators, the main incidents of violence on the nights of December 7-8 were likely carried out by mobilized private violent groups, known as '”Titushky”, by the ruling team. The use of such violent groups under government control renders violence even more dangerous and uncontrollable, increasing the risks to people's lives and health and violating social peace. Their activation instills feelings of terror and vulnerability among citizens.

The action on December 7-8, similar to the previous days, was peaceful, and there were no provocations or aggressive, violent acts from the participants. Compared to the previous two nights, more people were mobilized at the gathering place, which likely caused the passivity of the special forces. A large-scale protest action was held on December 7 not only in Tbilisi but also in Batumi and Kutaisi. Social Justice Center highlighted the following trends related to human rights violations during the ongoing protests on December 7-8.

• Using legal mechanisms for blood justice, the citizens were punished.

On December 7, Tbilisi City Court (Judge Tamar Mchedlishvili) detained six people who were arrested on the basis of organizing and participating in group violence at the action, including actor Andro Chichinadze and humorist Onise Tkhadadze[1]. The prosecutors explained at the court session that the detained individuals had thrown stones at the police, thereby endangering their health.[2]

As human rights defenders indicate, there are no neutral evidences in the case, and the judge used the most severe form of pretrial detention with formulaic documentation.[3]

• Unwarranted raids by law enforcement in citizens' homes

Similar to the previous days of the protest, on December 7th, there was also information about law enforcement's unwarranted entry into citizens' homes without appropriate warrants or decisions. On December 7th, the police went to Nikoloz Ratiani's home and took him for questioning. The law enforcers were neither in official uniform nor had a court warrant. Nikoloz's sisters did not allow the police into the house, however, a video published by his brother shows how they entered the apartment.[4] Later, a family member reported that Nikoloz Ratiani was released, but he was asked to delete video recordings from social media. According to the Criminal Procedure Code, entering private property for any purpose requires presenting a relevant document - a court warrant or, in case of unavoidable necessity, an investigator's decision. Accordingly, the citizen must be explained the basis for entering the apartment. Therefore, entering citizens' homes without any order or explanation is illegal. Additionally, there was no basis for demanding the deletion of the recordings, as everyone has the right to record any communication with law enforcement.

• Police inaction regarding the attacks carried out by masked groups

According to widely circulated video recordings in the media, masked groups dressed in black were hiding in the alleys of small streets near the parliament, armed with batons, and inflicted physical injuries on the participants of the action. On December 7th, around 21:32, a violent group near Kashueti Church targeted two individuals, causing severe facial injuries.[5] At approximately 22:14, the so-called ”Titushky” continued their violent acts on Besiki Street, causing physical injuries to a journalist from TV Pirveli, Maka Chichladze.[6] Her cameraman was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked. Masked individuals also targeted one of the leaders of 'Coalition for Change', Koba Khabazi[7], and actor Giorgi Makharadze.[8] Khabazi recalls that up to fifty people attacked him as he was leaving the party office, continuously kicking him for about ten minutes, with several people also hitting him on the head. According to Khabazi, the so-called ”titushkis” were on a mission to target and intimidate any recognizable individual.[9] Participants of the action testify, and it is clearly visible in the video recordings that patrol police cars were nearby, which did not respond to the citizens' calls despite witnessing severe acts of violence.

The Special Investigative Service has issued a statement regarding the attack on the employees of “TV Pirveli.” According to the statement,[10] an investigation has been initiated under the second part of Article 154 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which pertains to the illegal interference in a journalist's professional activities by exploiting an official position. In our assessment, the initial qualification of the actions is incomplete, and further evaluation leaves room to assess the damage inflicted on health through the attack. According to the information disseminated, the journalist and the cameraman sustained head and foot injuries. Considering the severity of the health damage, the investigation should also be conducted under an additional article.

• Response of the representatives of “Georgian Dream” regarding the actions of the “titushky”

Several representatives of 'Georgian Dream' vehemently responded to the incidents of attacks carried out by masked individuals. Mamuka Mdinaradze announced restrictions on movement at the protest following the incident,[11] while Nino Tsilosani stated that such brutal violence could only be organized by those who wish to provoke violence and mismanage the protests.[12]

Representatives of the ruling party aim to attribute the responsibility for violent incidents at protest actions to the participants and other groups, including opposition political parties. The organization and violence of masked groups, along with the police inaction, clearly demonstrate that they operate in coordination with the authorities and state institutions. According to widely disseminated media information,[13] there is evidence that masked individuals were acting on the orders of a deputy head of the State Security Service against citizens. Consequently, the responsibility for mobilizing violent groups directly falls on the government.

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