Amnesty International calls for release of detained Georgian protesters

Amnesty International has released a statement urging Georgian authorities to release all individuals detained for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of speech and assembly.

The statement, released on Monday, follows arrests during recent protests in Tbilisi and Batumi on January 11–12, where over 20 activists, journalists, and opposition members were detained. The detentions included activists accused of minor actions, such as placing protest stickers.

Amnesty criticized the Georgian Dream party’s December 30 amendments, which grant police powers for “preventive” detentions, and highlighted the lack of accountability for alleged police misconduct, including reported cases of torture.