By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During five days of pro-EU protests in Georgia, police violently suppressed demonstrators, employing tactics that included systematic beatings and torture in custody, as documented by Transparency International Georgia and the Georgian Young Lawyer’s Association. Detainees reported severe injuries and degrading treatment, with a Public Defender confirming widespread allegations of police brutality. Prominent critics suggest this brutality reflects training received from Russian counterparts, indicating a potential export of Russia’s authoritarian playbook to Georgia. This escalation of violence coincides with protests against the government’s pro-Russian stance and postponement of EU integration.
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The brutal crackdown on protesters in Georgia, marked by extreme police violence, has sparked accusations that Russia is exporting its repressive tactics. Reports detail shocking scenes of coordinated violence within police minibuses, where officers, allegedly directed by superiors, targeted specific body parts like the liver and head. The severity of the beatings was such that blood soaked the minibus floors and a detainee’s raincoat. A supervisor oversaw the torture, ensuring no one died, a chilling indication of systematic and controlled brutality.
Following the minibus beatings, detainees were forced to run a gauntlet of officers who kicked them in the face and back before being transferred to patrol cars. Further degradation involved stripping detainees of their shoes, forcing them to walk barefoot to medical facilities. Mobile phones were confiscated, and detainees were coerced into revealing passcodes. The sheer sadism displayed, including spitting and verbal abuse, shocked many Georgians who never expected such brutality from their own police force. The suggestion is that this isn’t simply a rogue operation, but a reflection of training received from Russian specialists.
This systematic brutality mirrors documented tactics used in other countries within Russia’s sphere of influence, lending credence to the claim of exported repression. This isn’t simply a matter of isolated incidents; it points to a pattern of behavior learned and implemented. The scale of the violence, the level of coordination, and the targeting of specific body parts all suggest a highly organized and pre-planned operation. The very nature of the attacks indicates a level of training and coordination not typically found in spontaneous acts of police brutality.
The parallels with past events are striking, especially the Euromaidan protests in Ukraine, where similar tactics were employed. The accusation is not merely that Russian influence is present, but that a direct transfer of methods and expertise has taken place, creating a blueprint for repression that is being replicated in Georgia. This raises serious concerns about the potential for similar crackdowns in other countries susceptible to Russian influence. The situation highlights a disturbing pattern of exporting authoritarian tactics and strategies that undermine democratic processes.
The protests themselves were fueled by the belief that the government’s actions are aligned with Russian interests. The protesters fear that failure to resist now may result in a de facto occupation by Russia. This suggests that the violence against the protestors is not just about suppressing dissent but about preventing any challenge to the current government, perceived as a Russian puppet regime. The protestors see this as their decisive moment, a potential ‘Maidan moment’ for Georgia, with the added complication of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
The international community’s response, or lack thereof, is another significant element. Concerns have been raised about the EU’s involvement or lack of support for these pro-EU protesters. The feeling is that a strong and decisive response is needed to prevent Russia from further expanding its sphere of influence through exported repression and support for authoritarian regimes. This situation raises concerns about the future of democracy and self-determination in the region.
Beyond the immediate crisis in Georgia, the broader implications are troubling. The accusations of Russian influence bring forth comparisons to the US, where there are fears of a similar erosion of democratic norms and institutions. Concerns are raised about the potential for a weakening of democratic values and increased polarization, coupled with unchecked police power. The concern extends not only to the US, but also to the potential for a spread of such tactics globally, potentially destabilizing other countries.
The use of excessive force and the alleged involvement of Russian trained personnel in Georgia are deeply troubling and reinforce the need for international attention and action. The situation raises important questions about how to counter the spread of authoritarian tactics and strategies and the importance of protecting democratic norms and institutions. The events in Georgia serve as a stark warning of the potential dangers of unchecked power and the importance of defending democratic values against authoritarian encroachment.