Information is being disseminated daily about attacks by informal punitive groups targeting peaceful protesters and journalists. These groups serve as a tool within the state’s mechanism of terror against dissent.
This tactic involves the participation of informal punitive groups, encouraged or enabled by official state institutions and high-ranking officials, with the intent to perpetrate violence and intimidation against supporters of protest movements and journalists. The frequency of such incidents and the police’s complete inaction strongly suggest prior consent by those responsible for preventing, suppressing, and responding to crimes, thereby enabling these groups to carry out such acts.
“This tactic was first employed during the crackdown on the April-May 2024 protests, described as a “Titushki raid” model of behavior. 1 During the protests against the “Russian law” in April-May 2024, unknown individuals targeted protest participants, organizers, and their family members near their homes or on the streets, subjecting them to severe beatings. 2 These incidents were met with complete inaction from law enforcement agencies, which not only failed to respond but also emboldened the perpetrators and escalated the scope of violence. Similar violence by punitive groups occurred during protests related to the elections.” 3
As of November 28, 2024, the following individuals are identified to be persons of interests for the informal punitive groups operating as part of the state mechanism of terror:
– On December 2, Gela Khasaia, a member of the Coalition for Change, was attacked by three so-called “Titushkas” near his home as he attempted to attend a rally. He was severely beaten and subjected to verbal abuse. 4
– On December 5, in Freedom Square, in front of the Marriott Hotel, mobilized so-called “Titushki” waited for opposition leaders to exit the building. Among them was plainclothes police officer Giorgi Pirvelashvili.5 During a confrontation between the “Titushki” and
politicians, police joined the “Titushki” in the attack and arrested Zurab Datunashvili, an athlete and one of the leaders of the opposition party “Akhali.” 6
– On December 6, while covering a protest near the Blue Gallery, Publica journalist Mindia Gabadze was attacked and physically assaulted by unknown individuals. Despite law enforcement officers being stationed very close to the scene, they failed to respond to the incident. 7
– During the December 6-7 rally, at night, after demonstrators moved from Rustaveli Avenue along Tarkhnishvili Street towards the coast, they were confronted by unknown individuals armed with firearms. 8 This incident did not elicit any response from the police. 9
– On December 7, the violence of the punitive squads escalated to a new level of repression, as they attacked and physically assaulted protesters. Citizens reported that masked men armed with batons chased and beat demonstrators. 10 Actor Giorgi Makharadze was also physically assaulted, and he stated that the police did not respond adequately to the violence. According to reports, the squads also beat psychologist Giorgi Chogovadze. 11
– On December 7, the same punitive group attacked TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze12 and severely beat cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli. 13 Members of the group also physically assaulted Maka Janashia and Eka Janashia, taking their phones because they were filming the violence against the TV Pirveli journalists. 14
– On December 7, after the attack on the TV Pirveli film crew, the same punitive group broke into the office of the Akhali party and physically assaulted Koba Khabazi.15 Both attacks occurred within a short interval of each other on Besiki Street, and the police did not react to this either.
State institutions are well aware of the members of the punitive groups. This is evident from materials available in open sources, where the faces of the attackers are sometimes visible. 16 Additionally, considering that the patrol crew could have intervened to prevent the violence or reacted to it in real time, public sources indicate a complete indifference and inaction on the part of the authorities. 17
All of this, along with other evidence, indicates that informal punitive groups, with the support or consent of state institutions and high-ranking officials, are engaged in efforts to terrorize protest participants and media representatives.
GYLA will continue to monitor the current situation regarding freedom of assembly and other rights, providing the public with objective information based on evidence.
1 GYLA, Georgia: Human Rights amidst of Russian Law, Human Rights Situation 60 Days After the Reinitiation of the Foreign Influence Transparency Bill, 2024, 9, available at: https://gyla.ge/files/Human%20rights%20Amidst%20the%20russian%20law.pdf [08.12.2024].
2 ibid
3 Public Broadcaster, Protest at the House of the CEC Chairman, 16.11.2024, available at: https://1tv.ge/video/aqcia-cesko-s-tavmjdomaris-sakhltan/, [08.12.2024].
4 Gela Khasia was attacked at his house. 2.12.24, https://www.facebook.com/mariam.shushania.1/posts/pfbid034PpzxMw6XJU3gZBXU9iCSaMjcYjjvBndtrPjwMSMmE6FktnPHX1Ka6eQH5MKfmgGl
5 See TV Pirveli’s story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW8QBvpM4dU
6 Physical confrontation occurred after opposition parties met at the Courtyard Marriott. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B2IXUzAVW8
7 GYLA responds to the attack on Publica journalist Mindia Gabadze, 06.12.2024, https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=997707765734579&set=a.485094683662559
8 ‼️ Protesters on the beach were sent “titushki” with weapons https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1086442272746708
9 See: GYLA’s statement “The dispersal of the rally on the 9th night of legitimate protest has entered a new stage of police terror” 07.12.24. https://gyla.ge/post/protesti-me9-game-darebav-gyla
10 See TV Pirveli live broadcast, 07.12.2024, 22:10
11 Main Channel Facebook Page, 08.12.2024, https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=978915494291121&set=a.628036179379056,
12 A masked man approached the camera crew during the live broadcast and tried to take the camera from the cameraman. At that moment, a masked man also approached Maka Chikhladze from behind and knocked her to the ground. The cameraman was physically assaulted. https://1tv.ge/news/telekompania-tv-pirvelis-gadamgheb-jgufs-pirdapir-etershi-daeskhnen-tavs-video/?fbclid=IwY2xjawHCaPNleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYDd5ODzxfGKqeD9MnRMOtkrTycKWtiCTHIPJRwxv7PXlXI8JJyAj3mhkw_aem_AbU71sKmvbo20XD1oEgLSw
13 The Titushkis physically assaulted the cameraman of “TV Pirveli”. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1143698633979632
14 See Facebook post, https://www.facebook.com/mariam.gogiashvili.16/posts/pfbid02WCmvaCTmzcHnUTg12zDA753UGQuLPMszBcdZYA5Fn7tX9UzkEWecDTu2rxaK8LTil
15 See: Radio Liberty: The same group attacked TV Pirveli journalist Maka Chikhladze and the office of the Coalition “Changes”. https://www.instagram.com/p/DDSsyHky20r/
16 See: GYLA’s statement “The dispersal of the rally on the 9th night of legitimate protest has entered a new stage of police terror” 07.12.24. https://gyla.ge/post/protesti-me9-game-darebav-gyla
17 “He holds the baton and dodges it” – how the police (does not) act against masked gangs. https://www.facebook.com/reel/964512905732781 ; “You watched as 30 men beat me alone with batons, you watched” — Giorgi Makharadze’s appeal to a police officer https://www.facebook.com/reel/500573012333067
