As pro-European, anti-government protests continue in Georgia, Amnesty International reports on increasing instances of gender-based violence perpetuated by police. Such abuses include threats of sexual violence and unlawful and degrading strip searches. Amnesty’s recent report documents various cases of abuse including that of opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria, who was violently restrained by police and forced to lie naked on the floor in detention. Other women have been targets of sexist verbal abuse, including by those in high levels of authority. These reports are part of a pattern of abuse that human rights defenders say are meant to silence and intimidate protesters.
Compiled from: “Georgia: Women protesters are targeted with escalating violence and gender-based reprisals,” Amnesty International, May 23, 2025.