According to publicly available sources, on June 2, 2023, Lawyer Shota Tutberidze and other protestors were arrested for displaying a banner during a peaceful demonstration near the Parliament of Georgia in Tbilisi.
Arresting a person for displaying a banner at a peaceful demonstration is beyond the scope of police actions within the constitutional framework. Such a demonstration of authority by law enforcement officers damages the freedom of expression and does not comply with the legislation and international standards, undermines the principle of the legal and democratic state, further worsens the situation of free speech and expression, which had tendency to be increasingly repressive in the country.
We call upon the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia to:
- Immediately release lawyer Shota Tutberidze and other detainees;
- Do not go beyond the scope of authority and give the participants of the rally the opportunity to express their protest in a peaceful manner.
ჯ. კახიძის #15, თბილისი, საქართველო, 0102 ; ტელ: (995 32) 95 23 53; ფაქსი: (995 32) 92 32 11; ელ-ფოსტა: gyla@gyla.ge; www.gyla.ge
15, J. Kakhidze str. 0102, Tbilisi, Georgia. Tel: (995 32) 95 23 53; Fax: (995 32) 92 32 11; E-mail: gyla@gyla.ge; www.gyla.ge