The German Embassy in Georgia has addressed the legal proceedings against the protesters, highlighting what it sees as intimidation tactics and unequal legal treatment of demonstrators and law enforcement representatives.

In a statement on February 12, the Embassy called attention to the legal provisions on possible release from pre-trial detention, emphasizing that they should be taken seriously in court practice. “It appears that people exercising their fundamental rights are [intentionally] being intimidated,” the statement said.

“The same standards should apply to both demonstrators and law enforcement officials in cases of potential criminal offenses,” the embassy said.

The statement stressed that “no serious investigation of the violations committed by state structures has yet been conducted.”

…

Meanwhile, the High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that the Georgian Dream authorities take “further steps away from democratic standards” and called on GD to “release all journalists, activists and political detainees.”

“These developments mark a serious setback for Georgia’s democratic development and fall short of any expectations of an EU candidate country,” the statement adds.

Kallas and Kos urge the Georgian authorities to suspend these measures, to “refrain from further tensions” and to await the opinion of the OSCE/ODIHR, as requested by the Georgian Public Defender.

…