Lawyer warns of rising police arbitrariness under new surveillance laws

Guro Imnadze, a lawyer at Georgia’s Social Justice Centre, on Wednesday criticised recent legislative amendments, warning that they “significantly expand” police powers and increased the risk of unchecked surveillance.

“These changes expand the scope of police arbitrariness and increase the risks that the already problematic operational activities will be used very arbitrarily, without control,” Imnadze said.

He further noted the amendments broaden the legal framework for so-called operational-search measures, allowing for extensive surveillance and eavesdropping. While the officials claim the changes aimed at combating drug-related crimes and illegal weapons possession, Imnadze stressed that the scope was far wider.

“One of the most relevant crimes that these changes are aimed at is related to drugs and weapons,” he noted. “But operational activities are much broader and include surveillance and eavesdropping.”

A particularly contentious provision permits the identity of individuals cooperating with law enforcement in covert investigations to remain classified, raising further concerns about accountability and judicial oversight, Imnadze added.