GYLA Adjara branch defended the interests of 8 people detained during the rally near the Government House of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara in Batumi on March 1, 2022. The rally was about the events of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The protesters expressed their support for Ukraine and at the same time protested against the positions taken by high-ranking Georgian officials regarding these events. During the rally, police arrested 8 people on the grounds of petty hooliganism and disobeying the lawful request of the police.

Batumi City Court considered the cases at different times and terminated the proceedings against 4 of them due to the absence of administrative violations, used verbal reprimands against 1 person, and fined three persons.

It should be noted that the detainees were placed in Batumi and Kobuleti solitary confinements for 48 hours without legal grounds (except for one in respect of whom disproportionate force was used during the detention and required medical care). GYLA will continue to protect their rights in this area as well.

These cases are part of the GYLA-funded project "Legal Aid Network for Activists" funded by the Open Society Foundation.