The Statement of the Human Rights Centre (HRIDC)

 Government Aims to Instill Fear into the Population

The Human Rights Centre (HRIDC) expresses its deep concern over the fact, which has  taken place in Tbilisi on Rustaveli Avenue, on October 16. The police arrested four activists of the Youth Against  Violence movement: Irakli Japaridze, Giorgi Mestumrishvili, Irakli Gaprindashvili and Irakli Chukhua.

During the demonstration held on Rustaveli Avenue activists were holding photos of Sandro Girgvliani and Amiran Robakidze, who were murdered by law enforcement, demanded justice from the President and the Minister of Internal Affairs. Their slogan was: Protect Life.

The activists of Youth Against Violence were convicted under article 166 and 173 of the  Administrative Code, (the slight hooliganism and disobedience) and were sentenced to 20 days imprisonment.

Youth Against Violence unites 800 young people. The movement is against death brigades and the imposed restrictions on media and freedom of speech.

The fact that the government arrested members of a newly founded organization, which demonstrated peacefully is an indicator of the lack of democracy in Georgia and the government’s restrictions on the freedom of expression. The Human Rights Centre (HRIDC) considers such measures from the government to be a restriction of the freedom expression and  is used to instill fear into the population.