BERIKASHVILI v. GEORGIA

Published on 27 September 2021 FIFTH SECTIONApplication no. 39382/21Vakhtangi BERIKASHVILIagainst Georgialodged on 30 July 2021communicated on 7 September 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 (see also applications nos. 8684/20, 13186/20, 16757/20, 20129/21, and 20175/21). 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 was shot at with a rubber bullet, as a result of which he sustained an injury to his shoulder.Criminal proceedings were initiated into abuse of power by the police; however, the applicant was refused victim status. The proceedings are s …