**Georgian Protesters Receive Harsh Sentences**
Two more protesters, Temur Zasokhashvili and Davit Lomidze, have been sentenced to prison in Georgia. The Tbilisi City Court handed down the verdict on August 8, with each man receiving four years and six months behind bars.
**Assaulting Police Charges**
The men were charged with assaulting police officers during the early days of the pro-EU protests in November 2024. Prosecutors claimed that Zasokhashvili (39) and Lomidze (53) threw Molotov cocktails, damaging a water-cannon vehicle. However, their defense team argued that there was no neutral evidence to support these claims.
**Beatings and Pre-Existing Conditions**
Both men alleged that they were severely beaten by police upon arrest, with Lomidze’s pre-existing spinal condition reportedly worsening while in custody. He required additional surgery as a result.
**Low-Quality Evidence**
The prosecution’s case relied on low-resolution video footage showing two hooded individuals committing the crime. The testimonies of two riot police officers also played a crucial role in the conviction, despite the defense team arguing that their claims were fabricated and that it was impossible to identify the suspects from memory.
**No Accountability for Police**
This verdict comes as no police officer has been held accountable despite numerous documented abuses during dispersals. Dozens of protesters remain in jail on criminal charges, convicted or awaiting their verdicts.
**Trend of Harsh Sentences**
Lomidze and Zasokhashvili are the tenth and eleventh individuals to receive a prison sentence in connection with the ongoing protests. Nine other people have also been sentenced, including journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, who was recently convicted alongside Anri Kakabadze and others.
**Civil Society Concerned**
The case highlights concerns among civil society groups that protesters are being targeted for their activism. A platform documenting detainee cases lists over 60 persons who were jailed in 2024-2025 and are considered political prisoners.
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