**Social Justice Center Calls on Court to Review Prosecution of Anti-Regime Protesters**
In a significant move, the Social Justice Center (SJC) has submitted amicus curiae briefs in the criminal cases of 11 individuals charged with organizing and participating in group violence during pro-EU rallies. The organization is calling on the Tbilisi City Court to critically assess the intent behind the defendants’ actions, the adequacy of the prosecution’s evidence, and the potential political motivations underlying the charges.
**Key Players Face Charges**
The defendants include notable figures such as actor Andro Chichinadze, who has been a vocal critic of the government. They face charges under Article 225, parts 1 and 2 of the Georgian Criminal Code, which pertains to organizing, leading (4-6 years in prison), or participating (2-5 years in prison) in group violence.
**SJC’s Concerns**
The SJC highlighted several concerns in its briefs. Firstly, they called on the court to thoroughly examine whether the prosecution’s evidence substantiates claims that the accused organized, planned, or directed acts of violence. They also emphasized the need to determine whether the actions attributed to the defendants were committed with criminal intent.
**Political Context and Abuse of Rights**
The SJC highlighted the political context surrounding the prosecutions, emphasizing the need to determine whether the criminal cases constitute an abuse of rights under Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights. This provision was developed to prevent abuse of power by authorities, especially in cases involving the restriction of rights driven by ulterior motives.
**Concerns Over Discriminatory Motives**
The defendants have spoken out against discriminatory reasons for the prosecution against them, pointing out that no objective evidence has been presented in the case to confirm that they committed a crime. They claim they are being punished for criticizing the government’s decision and participating in protest actions.
**Call for Fairness and Transparency**
To ensure fairness and transparency, the SJC urged the court to compare investigative practices in these cases with those in other criminal proceedings. They also called on the court to assess the legal grounds and proportionality of actions taken against the defendants.
**A Growing Concern**
The anti-regime protests that followed the government’s decision to halt the EU accession process have resulted in the criminal prosecution of more than 50 people, many of whom are widely considered to be political prisoners. The cases of 11 detainees are currently being heard by Judge Nino Galustashvili of the Tbilisi City Court.
As the court considers the SJC’s briefs, it will be essential to examine the evidence presented and assess the potential motivations behind the prosecution. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the defendants and the wider Georgian society.
