The European Court of Human Rights considered the violation of five articles of the European Convention. The court found a breach in only one article and that partially, only in the context of the effectiveness of the investigation, stated Beka Dzamashvili, the Georgian Deputy Minister of Justice, when remarking on the decision of the Strasbourg Court regarding the events of June 20-21, 2019.

According to Dzamashvili, the case concerned the special means and force used by the state during the June 20 protest.

Dzamashvili stated that the “ECHR found a partial violation of Article 3 (prohibition of torture and inhuman or degrading treatment) of the European Convention, specifically concerning the effectiveness of the investigation. The court found no violation in the substantive part of Article 3.”

“The ECHR stated that if protestors attack police officers, attempt to break through police cordons, or launch violent attacks on state institutions, the state has the right to use special means, including force.

In cases of particularly violent forms of demonstration, law enforcement officers may use rubber bullets if they believe their lives or the lives of others are in danger.

While the court found the investigation to have started promptly and praised its conduct by the Prosecutor’s Office, it noted that the investigation had not concluded after four and a half years. The court recommended that Georgia complete the investigation and reach concrete results promptly,” he stated.

The ECHR’s partial satisfaction of the claims of citizens related to the June 20-21 protests requires the authorities to pay compensation.