SVANADZE v. GEORGIA

Published on 14 June 2021 FIFTH SECTIONApplication no. 16757/20Zaza SVANADZEagainst Georgialodged on 20 April 2020communicated on 26 May 2021SUBJECT MATTER OF THE CASEThe application concerns the dispersal of a public demonstration held in Tbilisi in front of the Parliament of Georgia on 20-21 June 2019. Initially peaceful, it escalated into violent clashes between police and protesters. Tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons were used against the protesters, including allegedly from a short distance, as a result of which many were injured. The applicant, a journalist, was reporting the events. He alleged that he was specifically targeted by the police with rubber bullets during the dispersal of the demonstration. He was hit by at least four rubber bullets.Criminal proceedings were initiated into abuse of power by the police; however, the applicant was refused victim status. He comp …