“Strasbourg rulings always concern state responsibility. The fact is that during the 2019 Gavriilov Night protests, three articles of the European Convention on Human Rights were violated,” stated Giorgi Sioridze, a member of Lelo–Strong Georgia.

According to him, Georgian citizens no longer have faith in state institutions within Georgia.

“Three articles were violated: Article 11 concerning freedom of assembly and demonstration, Article 10 concerning freedom of expression, and, in certain cases, which is very significant, Article 3, the article on torture and ill-treatment. This is a crucial achievement by GYLA [Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association], and we thank them, because Georgian citizens no longer have faith in state institutions in Georgia. The state is the one that oppresses you and violates human rights. The only beacon of hope that remains is the Strasbourg Court, where people can find justice. This once again confirms how important the existence of the non-governmental sector is in the country,” Giorgi Sioridze stated.

When asked whether he sees responsibility for Giorgi Gakharia in this case, Giorgi Sioridze responds that he does not wish to go into details.

“The Strasbourg ruling includes, amongst other things, specific provisions where personal responsibility is discussed. Generally, Strasbourg rulings do not concern individuals. Strasbourg rulings concern the state, which is why, in this case, the state is responsible, and whoever is at the helm of governance within the state, that is, the political team, Georgian Dream.

As regards the deterioration, it is a fact that the normative framework has deteriorated even compared to 2019, including the parallel use of two or more different means during the dispersal of protests and demonstrations, which was also evident during last December’s protests,” Giorgi Sioridze stated.

According to him, the Strasbourg Court ruling concerns state responsibility.

“This means that answers have been provided to all questions. The Strasbourg Court does not eliminate the need for investigation; on the contrary, following a Strasbourg Court ruling, an investigation must be launched, and the question of specific accountability must be raised in individual cases. But under Georgian Dream’s rule, this will be a complete farce, just as the State Security Service’s five-day investigation was a farce,” Giorgi Sioridze declared.