The Strasbourg Court has mandated the Georgian government to compensate victims of the June 2019 rally dispersal with over 150,000 euros.
Ruling a breach of Article 3 of the Human Rights Convention, which prohibits torture, the court criticized the inadequate investigation into the dispersal of the protests sparked by the presence of Russian MPs in Tbilisi parliament.
The case, representing 26 applicants citing injuries from excessive force and ineffective investigation, highlighted concerns under Articles 10 (freedom of expression), 11 (freedom of assembly), and 13 (right to an effective remedy) of the European Convention. However, the court refrained from finding violations under these articles.
The Strasbourg court ordered compensation to several applicants. Notably, the first, sixth, ninth, and eleventh claimants, alleging sight loss due to the events, were awarded 15,000 euros each. Among them were Davit Kurdovanidze, Mako Gomuri, Giorgi Sulashvili, and Lekso Chankseliani. Additionally, the Government of Georgia was directed to pay 5,000 euros to other claimants, including Merab Tsaava, Beslan Kmuzov, Zaza Svanadze, Tamar Bagashvili, Gvantsa Nemsadze, Anna Vakhtangadze, Nino Khozrevanidze, Tornike Koshkadze, Guram Muradov, Giorgi Chumburidze, Ekaterine Abashidze, Giorgi Diasamidze, Davit Shekiladze, Dimitri Pochkidze, Irakli Giorgadze, Nikoloz Sharvashidze, Teimuraz Didberashvili, and Vakhtang Berikashvili. The government was also instructed to cover additional costs, including legal fees, and provide 6,000 euros to each representative.The events stem from the June 2019 International Assembly of Orthodoxy in Georgia, where Russian Duma deputy Sergey Gavrilov took the seat of the Georgian parliamentary speaker, with current Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze chairing the legislative body that time Official records indicate 240 injuries, including over 30 journalists, with two individuals losing their eyes from rubber bullet injuries.
Giorgi Gakharia, the current head of the opposition For Georgia party, served as the country’s Interior Minister during the rallies.
