Georgian ombudsperson criticises police conduct, online misuse of health information in protest arrests

Georgia’s Ombudsperson has raised concerns over police treatment of citizens detained during protests on Rustaveli Avenue on Tuesday, highlighting excessive use of force and rough handling of participants.

“The force used during police operations must be proportionate and necessary. The Ombudsperson will respond appropriately after further review,” the office said in a statement. It also noted that proportional use of force remained a problem in court buildings, where officials may exceed their authority, and pledged further assessment and response within its mandate.

The statement also addressed unverified social media reports about the health of one of the detainees, Anna Chrdileli, daughter of former ruling party MP and local city assembly candidate Otar Chrdileli. According to the Ombudsperson, propagandist platforms circulated such claims to marginalise her and justify her participation in anti-government demonstrations.

“Disseminating health information in this way grossly violates the protection of sensitive personal data, undermines human dignity, and reinforces harmful stereotypes about mental health, encouraging discrimination,” the statement said.

Under Georgian law, the disclosure of personal mental health information without consent constitutes a crime, punishable by a fine, corrective work for up to two years, or imprisonment for up to three years.