On December 2, at dawn, while breaking up the protest on Rustaveli Avenue, the special forces surrounded peaceful protesters and arrested tens of people. Among those arrested is the Head of the Rule of Law and Freedom of Media Direction at IDFI, lawyer Giorgi Davituri. 

Giorgi Davituri was transferred to one of the temporary detention centers in Tbilisi around 11:00. By 12:00 he was allowed to meet with a lawyer. Giorgi Davituri had injuries on his face, as well as prints from handcuffs on both wrists. As he was being arrested, the police also verbally insulted him. 

Despite the lack of grounds for the arrest, he did not resist the police forces at any stage, and he was a peaceful participant of the protest.

It should be underlined that Giorgi Davituri was not given an explanation for his arrest. This information was unknown to him even during the meeting with his lawyer.

Giorgi Davituri did not commit any administrative offense and refused to sign the administrative offense protocol.

In the past few days, the systemic violence perpetrated by the police forces against peaceful protesters, violent treatment of the media and interference with their professional activities, instances of surrounding protesters while illegally dispersing the protests, and other such actions once again reveal the violent face of the regime founded on repression.

Every person arrested for safeguarding the Georgian Constitution and the country’s European future should be freed immediately!