UPDATE: Activists Released Without Charge - Then Charged

The Georgian police released the activists arrested on June 2, 2023, without charge on June 4. At least, initially, they were released without charge—however, the courts set a hearing for their alleged crimes on June 6. But these hearings were rescheduled, an action which raises more questions than it answers. Looking at those charged and the dates of their trials, one might believe there was a degree of prejudice towards them from within the judicial system.

While the hearings of the three men charged were on the same day, their new hearings will be on different dates. It’s common knowledge that evidence and charges secured by the prosecution in one case can and often are used to build on the following case. With the hearing for Saba Brachveli set to occur on June 16, Nika Romanadze’s on June 27, and Eduard Marikashvili’s on June 28, one must question these dates.

Reviewing past arrests of protestors, one can see a similar pattern of questionable judicial and police conduct. Unfortunately, groups on both sides of the argument do not always act transparently and honestly. This behavior has led some to believe other motives are at play than simple freedom of expression. But until the trials are over, speculation will continue to grow. The space between what is true and what is presumed will remain ripe for manipulation and misinformation.

While the upcoming trials will remain a metric to gauge components of regional security, the more significant priority should be on what is said and done in the interim by both opposition and ruling parties—particularly the level of honesty and transparency with which they act.