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Since February 2020 up to the date, Human Rights Center has been monitoring the court proceedings at the general courts of the cases with alleged political motives. 

A total of 32 cases have been monitored by HRC since February 2020, hearing of some of which are currently completed in the courts.

1.    The Case of Mamuka Khazaradze, Badri Japaridze and Avtandil Tsereteli. Mamuka Khazaradze, former Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TBC Bank, and his deputy, Badri Japaridze (currently - leaders of the political organization Lelo for Georgia, MPs of Georgia) are charged under article 194(2)(a),(3)(c) of the Criminal Code of Georgia envisaging the legalization of illicit income carried out in a group and  accompanied by appropriation of large  incomes. While the charges brought against the father of the owner of TV company TV Pirveli, Avtandil Tsereteli, implies  the assistance in the legalization of illicit income (article 25 and article 194(2)(a),(3)(c) of the Criminal Code). The criminal case is on the stage of hearing on the merits in Tbilisi City Court. Judge Giorgi Ebanoidze within the Tbilisi City Court is hearing the case on the merits. At this stage of the hearing, the evidence are being examined. 

2.    The case of attack on journalist Vakhtang Sanaia. On February 25, 2021, journalist Vakhtang Sanaia was attacked by three drunk persons. The journalist was with his family members, including an infant child, and was trying to mount a rise in a road with his vehicle assisted by the representatives of the rescue guard in the efforts. According to Sanaia, the  defendants physically assaulted him, threatened him and attacked his family members. On the same day, the Ministry of Interior  arrested three people on charges of group violence. According to the information by the Ministry of Interior, the accused, who were drunk, used physical violence against Vakhtang Sanaia preliminary exchanging with him some verbal remarks. The three detainees were charged under article 156(2)(a), article 151(1) and  article 126(1)(b)(c) of the Criminal Code of Georgia. The case is being heard on the merits by the City Court, presiding judge is Giorgi Keratishvili. At this point, the examination of the accused as witnesses in the case has been finalized.

3.    The case of Iveri Melashvili and Natalia Ilychova (case of cartographers). HRC monitors are observing the criminal cases ongoing against Iveri Melashvili, the former director of the Bordering Relations Service of the Department for Neighboring Countries within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and against Natalia Ilychova, former chief inspector of the Land Border Defense Department of the Border Police under the Ministry of Interior.  They are charged under Article 308.1 of the Criminal Code envisaging the action against Georgia aimed at transferring the entire territory or part of Georgia to a foreign country and/or separating part of the territory from the territory of Georgia. On January 28, 2021, presiding judge Lela Kalichenko changed the measure of restraint applied against the defendants with remand on bail of GEL 20,000 each. Further, the court granted the motion of the prosecution to dismiss Iveri Melashvili from his job. The case was assigned to judge Dali Metreveli for hearing on the merits. At the current stage of the hearings, the evidence of the prosecution are being examined. 

4.    Giorgi Mumladze Case.  Civil activist Giorgi Mumladze is accused of committing an illegal act under article 353(1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia implying a resistance towards a police officer, a special penitentiary officer or other government official with an aim to interfere in his/her activities of maintaining public order, to cease or change his/her  activities, further to coerce an officer to a manifestly unlawful act committed with violence or threat of violence. The case is being heard at Tbilisi City Court. 

5.    The case of Malkhaz Machalikashvili. On July 6, 2021, Malkhaz Machalikashvili was arrested by the police during a rally on Rustaveli Avenue. According to the defence counsel, Machalikashvili was present at the protest rally For Freedom and was expressing his protest. Violent groups active on the other side recognized Malkhaz Machalikashvili, verbally abused him and physically assaulted him as the group was trying to cross the fence and create threats for Machalikashvili. Malkhaz Machalikashvili was taken away from the scene by the police and as it turned out he was consequently arrested for disobeying the order of the police and for violating the public order, the offense under articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. On July 7, the defence filed a motion with the court to suspend the hearing of the case on the merits, so the defence could study the case files and obtain additional evidence. On the same day, Machalikashvili was released from the courtroom. The case is being heard by Koba Chagunava, a judge of the Administrative Cases Panel of Tbilisi City Court. 

6.    The case of Beka Papashvili, Zurab Berdzenishvili, Paata Kharatishvili and Tite Gedenidze. HRC is monitoring the court proceedings against four civil activists: Beka Papashvili, Zurab Berdzenishvili, Paata Kharatishvili and Tite Gedenidze, arrested on June 3, 2021, in front of the premises of the General Prosecutor's Office where a protest rally in connection with the events in Ninotsminda Children's Boarding School was taking place. The activists were detained under Article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia envisaging  disobedience to a lawful order of the law enforcement officer. The case is being heard by Tbilisi City Court, presiding judge is Lela Tsagareishvili.

7.    The Case of Akaki Khuskivadze and Akaki Kobaladze. HRC  is monitoring the court proceedings of the  criminal case ongoing against Akaki Khuskivadze and Akaki Kobaladze. The accused are charged with committing the criminal acts under article 339(1), article 150(2)(b), and article 151(2)(a) of the Criminal Code of Georgia envisaging the following offense: directly offering to an official money for his/her benefit, in order that he/she take a certain action during the exercise of his/her official rights and duties for the benefit of the bribe-giver, further a threat of damaging health, when the person threatened began to have a reasonable sensation of fear that the threat will be carried out, the act committed by a group of persons, i.e. coercing him/her mentally to perform an action abstaining from the performance of which is his/her right, the act committed by a group of persons. Moreover, Akaki Kobaladze is accused of illegal purchase and storage of ammunitions, the offense provided for by article 236(3)  of the Criminal Code of Georgia. On December 10, 2020, Tbilisi City Court remanded the detainees on bail. They had to pay GEL 10,000 in bail. Judge Giorgi Keratishvili within Tbilisi City Court is hearing  the case on the merits.

8.    The case of civil activists. HRC monitored the trial of 7 activists (Irakli Pavlenishvili, Givi Tsintsadze, Parnavaz Grigolia, Vano Magalashvili, Nikoloz Kvitatiani, Nikoloz Narsia and Davit Digmelashvili) arrested during the protest rally of January 16, 2021. The activists were detained under articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia envisaging  petty hooliganism and disobedience to a lawful order of a law enforcement officer. The court terminated the administrative proceedings in the case in the part of article 166, while holding the activists as offenders in the part of article 173 and imposed on each of them a fine of GEL 1,200.  The case was heard by Judge Natia Merabishvili.

9.    The case of Bezhan Lortkipanidze. Bezhan Lortkipanidze, an employee of the public organization Nakresi, was charged under article 225(2) of the Criminal Code envisaging the management, organisation and participation in a group violence. Bezhan Lortkipanidze does not plead guilty. The charges are related to the events of June 20-21, 2019. Field biologist and wildlife researcher Bezhan Lortkipanidze was arrested on June 20, 2019. He was remanded in custody for 2 months. At the time being, the accused has been remanded on bail of GEL 5,000 as a measure of restraint. Judge Davit Mgeliashvili within Tbilisi City Court is hearing the case on the merits.

10.    The Case of Besik Tamliani, Zurab Budaghashvili, Tsotne Soselia and Kakhaber Kupreishvili. Besik Tamliani, Zurab Budaghashvili, Tsotne Soselia and Kakhaber Kupreishvili were charged under article 225(2) of the Criminal Code of Georgia envisaging  the participation in group violence accompanied by violence, raid, damage or destruction of another person’s property, use of arms, armed resistance to or assault on representatives of public authorities. On the given case a plea agreement was concluded between the Prosecutor’s Office and the accused persons: Zurab Budaghashvili, Tsotne Soselia and Kakhaber Kupreishvili. On March 23, 2020, the measure of restraint used against Besik Tamliani was changed with remand on bail of GEL 4,000. He left the prison. In the 2020 parliamentary elections, Besik Tamliani was a candidate for MP of the Parliament of Georgia from the electoral list of the opposition bloc UNM - Strength in Unity. The criminal case against Besik Tamliani is still pending with Tbilisi City Court. The criminal case is being heard by Judge Alexander Iashvili.  

11.    The case of Nikanor Melia: Former MP Nikanor Melia has been charged under article 225(1)(2) of the Criminal Code of Georgia envisaging the organisation of and participation in group violence. The current case pending with Tbilisi City Court is connected with the events of June 20-21, 2019. On February 17, 2021, the court granted in full the motion of the Prosecutor General of Georgia, Irakli Shotadze, to replace the measure of restraint used against the accused with remand on bail. On May 10, 2021, the court also granted the motion of the prosecution to change the measure of restraint applied against the accused to a lighter one. In particular, remand in custody as a measure of restraint applied against Nikanor Melia was changed to remand on bail of GEL 40,000. The bail was allocated by the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) under an agreement between the opposition and the government. The hearing on the merits of the criminal case is going on in Tbilisi City Court, presiding judge is Nino Chakhnashvili.

The Human Rights Center has reviewed the criminal case ongoing against Nikanor Melia in the document: Legal Analysis of the Criminal Cases Related to the Events of June 20-21, 2019.


12.     The case of Nikanor Melia and Zurab Adeishvili. The above criminal case is pending with Tbilisi Court of Appeals. Nikanor Melia together with the former Minister of Justice Zurab Adeishvili is charged with the offense under article  332 of the Criminal Code envisaging the abuse of official power. Admittedly Nikanor Melia was acquitted by the court of  first instance for the charges under article 2051 of the Criminal Code envisaging the concealment of property by means of fraudulent or sham transactions. Judge Vepkhia Lomidze is reviewing the case  within the Court of Appeals. 

13.    The case of Mikheil Saakashvili and Teimuraz Janashia. Former President of Georgia, Mikheil Saakashvili and former Head of Special State Protection Service, Defense Teimuraz Janashia have been charged under article 182(b) of the Criminal Code envisaging  misappropriation of budgetary funds in large amounts (GEL 8,837,461). According to the Prosecutor's Office, in accordance with the existing agreement between Mikheil Saakashvili and Teimuraz Janashia and the instructions issued by the President, from September 2009 to February 2013, the state funds in the amount of GEL 8,837,461 were embezzled in secret for various services rendered to the President of Georgia and to other individuals in Georgia and abroad. The case is being heard at Tbilisi City Court, presiding judge is Badri Kochlamazashvili. 

Human Rights Center (HRC) has published an analytical document: Assessment of the Right to be Tried within a Reasonable Time in the Cases ongoing against Mikheil Saakashvili. 

14.    The Case of Mikheil Todua (Mikhailo). On December 25, 2013, under the judgment rendered by Tbilisi City Court, Mikheil Todua was sentenced to 9 years of imprisonment. He was convicted of a drug offense, namely purchasing, storing and consuming club drugs. On October 11, 2019, the convict was commuted to house arrest for 2 years and 11 months. He was instructed to be at the place of residence from 21:00 to 08:00. On November 11, 2020, Tbilisi City Court heard a motion by Tbilisi Probation Bureau to lift the house arrest imposed against Mikheil Todua and to apply imprisonment against Mikheil Todua on the grounds that he had violated the terms of house arrest and performed at a party organized by Girchi on October 17 at 22:00. Following the judgment rendered by the judge, the submission from the Probation Bureau regarding the use of imprisonment as a punishment was rejected. The Probation Bureau approached the court with an alternative request at the hearing, which was granted by the judge and Mikheil Todua was ordered to stay home from 19:00 to 08:00, instead of 21:00-08:00.

15.    Case of Nodar Rukhadze. HRC observed the court hearing of the administrative case of Nodar Rukhadze, an activist of the movement Shame arrested on February 23. The law enforcement officers detained him under article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia. The judge held Nodar Rukhadze as an offender and imposed on him a fine of GEL 2,000. The case was not appealed to a higher court. 

16.    The case of Giorgi Ugulava (airport case). In accordance with the indictment by the Prosecutor's Office from December 11, 2019, Giorgi Ugulava is charged with committing the offense under article 126(1) of the Criminal Code of Georgia. According to the version of the prosecution, Giorgi Ugulava inflicted bodily harm to B.G. The defense on the contrary states that B.G. in a provocative manner assaulted Giorgi Ugulava and Giorgi Gabashvili, the leaders of European Georgia. About a year later, on June 3, 2021, Tbilisi City Court with presiding judge Badri Kochlamazashvili began a hearing on the merits of the case.  

17.    The case of Giorgi Ugulava (Tbilisi Development Fund case). The Supreme Court of Georgia found Giorgi Ugulava the former Mayor of Tbilisi and one of the leaders of the Party European Georgia guilty in committing the offense provided for by article 182(2)(d),(3)(a)(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia envisaging the unlawful appropriation or embezzlement of another person’s property or property rights by using official position.  By the Judgment of the Supreme Court from February 10, 2020, Giorgi Ugulava was sentenced to imprisonment with a  term of 3 years, 2 months and 8 days. He was released from the prison based on the Act of Pardon of the President of Georgia from May 15, 2020. The case of Giorgi Ugulava was heard in the Supreme Court under the chairmanship of former Prosecutor General, Shalva Tadumadze.

18.    The Case of Giorgi Ugulava and Aleksandre Gogokhia. The criminal case launched against Giorgi Ugulava the former Mayor of Tbilisi is on the stage of hearing on the merits in  Tbilisi City Court. The Prosecutor’s Office charged the accused persons with  committing the offense under article 194 of the Criminal Code envisaging the legalization of illicit income (money laundering). Moreover, the state prosecution on the same case charged Ugulava with abuse of official power on the episode of City Park and with the organisation of group action and with coercion on the episode of Marneuli. The case will be heard by judge Valerian Bugianashvili of Tbilisi City Court. 

During the monitoring, HRC published an analytical document: Legal Analysis of the Criminal Cases ongoing against Giorgi Ugulava.

19.    The case of Irakli Okruashvili and Zurab Adeishvili (case of Buta Robakidze). Irakli Okruashvili and Zurab Adeishvili are charged under article 332(3)(c) of the Criminal Code envisaging the abuse of power by a state political official. The case concerns the incident that took place near Didube  Pantheon in Tbilisi on November 24, 2004, when the police patrol stopped  a car of BMW brand with a driver and five passengers in the car. In the process of seizing and personal examination of the persons, one of the patrol officers, Grigol Basheleishvili accidentally triggered the weapon and shot on to the left  armpit of Amiran (Buta) Robakidze heavily wounding him causing his death at the scene. According to the prosecution decision, the information on the same night was reported to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Irakli Okruashvili, who instructed the high officials arriving to the scene that they had “to save the reputation of the patrol police” and to give the incident the appearance of an armed assault on the police officers. Further, according to the prosecution decision, following the instructions of the then Prosecutor General of Georgia, Zurab Adeishvili, the investigation was conducted in legal terms in the wrong  direction manifested in the affirmation of falsified in procedural terms and reaffirming the versions by high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Interior. The case hearings were resumed on June 9, 2021 by judge Lasha Chkhikvadze after the case was suspended for several months. The hearings were resumed with examinations of the evidence submitted by the prosecution. 

20.    The Case of Irakli Okruashvili. The Leader of the party Victorious Georgia,  Irakli Okruashvili was accused under article 225 of the Criminal Code related to the events of June 20-21, 2019 envisaging the organisation of group violence and participation in the violence. Following the judgment from April 13, 2000, Okruashvili was sentenced to 5 years of imprisonment as he was charged with the participation in the offense. Based on the Act or Pardon of the President, like Giorgi  Ugulava Okruashvili also left the penitentiary institution on May 15, 2020. Notwithstanding the pardon, Okruashvili appealed the judgment before Tbilisi Court of Appeals where the hearings on the case have not begun yet. In the Court of Appeals, judge Vepkhvia Lomidze will hear the case.

During the monitoring, HRC published an analytical document: Legal Assessments of the Criminal Cases ongoing against Irakli Okruashvili.

21.    The Case of citizens detained near the building of Isani District Election Commission. HRC observed the administrative legal proceedings of 7 persons detained on November 4, 2020 at a protest rally in front of the premises of Isani District Election Commission under articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. According to the decision by the judge, the proceedings against only one of the 7 detainees were terminated. Only 3 persons were found to have committed administrative offenses under article 173 of the Code, and 3 persons under  both articles 166 and 173 of the Code. One of them was subject to a sanction of 5 days of administrative detention, and the other 5 were subject to 3 days of detention.

22.    The case of Lasha Chkhartishvili. On June 20, 2020, Tbilisi City Court held one of the leaders of Labor Party, Lasha Chkhartishvili an administrative offender under article 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses and imposed on him a fine in the amount of GEL 3,500. Judge Manuchar Tsatsua rendered the judgment in three court sessions. Chkhartishvili appealed the judgment to Tbilisi Court of Appeals, but the admission of the appeal was rejected.  

23.    The Case of Giorgi Javakhishvili and Tornike Datashvili. The court found Giorgi Javakhishvili and Tornike Datashvili guilty under article 225(2) of the Criminal Code envisaging the leadership, organisation of a group violence and participation in the group violence. The above case was heard in the conjunction with the case of Irakli Okruashvili related to the events of June 20-21, 2019, however the case was split into separate proceedings and after the plea agreements were reached with the accused persons: Javakhishvili and Datashvili, they were released shortly afterwards.  

24.    The case of Koba Koshadze. The member of the guard of  Irakli Okruashvil, of the leader of the party Victorious Georgia was charged with an offense under article 236 of the Criminal Code envisaging illegal purchase, storage and carriage of firearms and ammunition. After the Prosecutor’s Office approached the court with a motion to change the measure of restraint, the court canceled the measure or restraint in the form of custody and remanded the accused on bail of GEL 5,000. Koba Koshadze was released from the courtroom. No hearings were scheduled on the case for more than a year. 

Human Rights Center observed the criminal case ongoing against Koba Koshadze in the document: Legal Assessments of the Criminal Cases ongoing against Irakli Okruashvili.
 
25.    The criminal case of Mikheil Saakashvili, Ivane Merabishvili,  Zurab Adeishvili, Davit Kezerashvili and Gigi Ugulava. The case is pending with the first instance of the court where the written evidence of the prosecution is being examined.  The case concerns the dispersal of the protesters en masse on November 7, 2007, invading TV company Imedi and “seizing” the TV company. Beside Mikheil Saakashvili, charges are brought against that time high officials: Ivane Merabishvili, Zurab Adeishvili, Davit Kezerashvili and Gigi Ugulava. Due to the complexity of the case, the case is being heard by a panel of judges in Tbilisi City Court. The court sessions are chaired by judge Nino Eleishvili.

26.    The case of Giorgi Rurua. One of the founders and shareholders of TV company Mtavari Arkhi, and one of the organizers of the protest demonstrations of June 20-21, 2019, is charged under article 236(3)(4) of the Criminal Code (illegal  purchase, storage and carriage of firearms); he was also charged under article 381(1) of the Criminal Code envisaging the failure to execute a court decision or interference with the execution of a court decision. On July 30, 2020, the judge of criminal panel of Tbilisi City Court, Valerian Bugianishvili rendered a judgment of conviction against Giorgi Rurua sentencing him to 4 years of imprisonment.  On July 30, 2020, the judge of criminal panel of Tbilisi City Court, Valerian Bugianishvili rendered a judgment of conviction against Giorgi Rurua sentencing him to 4 years of imprisonment. The court found Giorgi Rurua guilty of both charges. Following a pardon act by the President of Georgia the convict was released from the penitentiary facility. Moreover, the judgment rendered by the first instance of court has been appealed by the defence with Tbilisi Court of Appeals. 

During the monitoring, Human Rights Center published an analytical document: The Criminal Case of Giorgi Rurua: Legal Analysis. 

27.    The case of Nika Gvaramia. The founder of a TV Company Mtavari Arkhi and the Director General of the same TV company, Nika Gvaramia is charged under article 220 of the Criminal Code envisaging the abuse of managerial, representative or other special powers in an enterprise or other organisation against the lawful interests of this organisation for acquiring benefits or advantage for oneself or another person, which has resulted in considerable damage. The case is being heard at Tbilisi City Court with evidence of prosecution being examined.  The case is being heard at Tbilisi City Court with evidence of prosecution being examined. 

During the monitoring, HRC published an analytical document: Legal Assessments of the Criminal Case ongoing against Nika Gvaramia.

28.    Administrative case of Aleksi Machavariani, Nodar Rukhadze and Giorgi Mzhavanadze. Aleksi Machavariani was detained by the police for an offense under Article 173(1) of the Code of Administrative Offenses, envisaging disobedience to a lawful order or request of a law enforcement officer, or committing any other wrongful action against the officer. 

Nodar Rukhadze and Giorgi Mzhavanadze were detained by the police for the offense under article 166(1) of the Code of Administrative Offenses (petty hooliganism - cursing in public places, chasing on citizens in an assaulting manner and other such acts that violate public order) and also for the offense under Article 173(1) of the Code of Administrative Offenses, envisaging  disobedience to a lawful order or request of an officer of a law enforcement body, or committing other wrongful actions against the officer. 

Both cases were joined into one case during the hearing of the case in the court of first instance, where all three detainees were found guilty of committing an offense under the relevant articles of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Georgia. Aleksi Machavariani was fined of GEL 1,000.  Nodar Rukhadze was fined of GEL 1,500. Giorgi Mzhavanadze was punished with 3 days of administrative detention. The judgment was appealed under appellate procedure. 

 29-30-31.  The case of Levan Imerlishvili, Giorgi Esiashvili and Mindia Ambardnishvili (case of former officers of riot police). The accused are charged under article 333(3)(b) of the Criminal Code of Georgia envisaging the acts in excess  of the official powers by an official or a person equal thereto resulting in the substantial violation of the rights of natural or legal persons, or of the lawful interests of the public or the State. Tbilisi City Court has by now finalized the hearings on the merits of the case of former officers of riot police.  

Former riot police officers - Levan Imerlishvili, Giorgi Esiashvili and Mindia Ambardnishvili were arrested in  summer 2019. For some time the accused were remanded in custody. At the moment, they are remanded on bail of GEL 10,000 (ten thousand). The reason for changing the measure of restraint for  Levan Imerlishvili was the deterioration of the health condition of the accused; the Court agreed  with the opinion and granted the motion by the defense counsel.

During the HRC monitoring, no court hearings were held in the ongoing cases against Levan Imerlishvili and Mindia Ambardnishvili. The hearing of Levan Imerlishvili's case was scheduled several times, however it was postponed on every occasion. As what Giorgi Esiashvili concerns, during the monitoring, 4 court hearings were held. On March 18, 2021, following the petition from the defense the statement concerning the reconciliation of the victims with the accused (there are two victims in the present case) and the fact of full compensation of the damage by the accused was included into the criminal case files under consideration. According to the statement, the victims admit that they have no claim in this case and welcome reaching a plea agreement with the accused.

On April 22, 2021, Tbilisi City Court granted the motion of the defense on the revocation of the additional measures applied against  accused Giorgi Esiashvili. As the additional measure the following was used: an obligation to inform the investigating authority, and without the  consent of the latter not to leave the residence, and to appear to the investigating authority once a week. 

Giorgi Esiashvili fully agrees with the allegations put against him. According to the media, Levan Imerlishvili also pleads guilty, while Mindia Ambardnishvili's lawyer reports that his client has not acted ultra vires  and needs no amnesty, as he will be acquitted in this case. 

32.    The case of Zaza Chaava, Zaza Mchedlidze and Murad Beglarishvili. All three defendants are charged with the crimes committed against the public, persecution of journalists and interfering with journalistic activities. The accused were arrested by the police on July 5, 2021 at the counter-demonstration against the March of Dignity announced by Tbilisi Pride. The prosecution stated that the defendants committed the crime as a group. They knew that they were persecuting journalists, their actions were intentional, the accused deliberately injured  the journalists and damaged their equipment. The journalists were attacked because they were covering the rally and the accused believed the journalists were promoting the LGBT community. At the hearing held on July 8, 2021, in deciding on the issue of the measure of restraint to be applied against the accused persons, the court rejected the motion of the defense to change remand in custody to remand on bail and remanded all three accused in custody again. The pre-trial hearing in this case is scheduled for September 2, 2021.  

-  Along with the case with alleged political motives, Human Rights Center is monitoring the court hearings of the three former riot policemen, as well as the trials of Zaza Chaava, Zaza Mchedlidze and Murad Beglarishvili. Chaava, Mchedlidze and Beglarishvili are accused of persecuting journalists and obstructing their activities during the violent events of July 5, 2021. Due to the high public interest, Human Rights Center is closely monitoring the court hearings in these cases to identify the approach of the prosecution as well as that of the judiciary towards the sensitive cases; further, to compare the extents of observing the right to a fair trial in the cases with alleged political motives and in the current cases; and finally to provide legal analyzes of the judgments rendered by the court in the cases. 

-  As part of the project, Human Rights Center monitors have monitored a total of 160 court hearings since February 2020.

Human Rights Center monitors the criminal cases with  allegedly political motives in the general courts of Georgia within the frames of the project Legal Aid and Human Rights Monitoring. The project also presupposes the  monitoring of protest demonstrations. The project is supported by a USA foundation National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The opinions enshrined in the document are of the Human Rights Center and may not reflect the opinions of the donor. Therefore, NED is not responsible for the content of the text laid here.