Annual Report

Saba Skhvitaridze, an activist in Georgia, was arrested on December 5, 2024, after joining peaceful protests against the government.

Since his arrest, he has been denied access to a lawyer during questioning. While in detention, Saba was tortured and mistreated. Yet, the authorities have failed to properly investigate his claims of abuse.

He is still in detention as he awaits trial. If convicted, he could face up to 11 years in prison. Saba’s rights must be protected, and the abuse he suffered must be independently and thoroughly investigated.

Here’s what you can do:

Write to Georgia’s Prosecutor General urging the government to:

• Ensure a prompt investigation into the allegations of torture and other ill-treatment of Saba Skhvitaridze.
• Ensure the investigation is impartial, independent, and effective.
• Bring all those responsible for the torture or ill-treatment to justice in fair trials.
• Ensure that Saba is tried in accordance with international standards for a fair trial.
• Ensure that any statements or other evidence obtained through torture or ill-treatment are excluded from all proceedings, except those brought against those responsible for the abuse.

Who Is Saba Skhvitaridze?

Saba Skhvitaridze is an activist and member of the opposition political party Akhali in Georgia. Since 2024, he has been openly critical of the government and active in pro-European and anti-government protests. On the night of December 5, 2024, Saba was arrested after attending a party meeting.

He is accused of assaulting a police officer with a baton during a confrontation that took place after the meeting. A group of masked individuals confronted the activists, and one of them slapped a woman who tried to uncover his face. Saba and others stepped in to stop him. The masked individual was later identified as a police officer. No arrests were made at the time, but Saba was arrested the following day.

Unlawful arrest and mistreatment

Saba’s arrest appears to be aimed at punishing him for his activism. It reflects a wider pattern in Georgia of using criminal charges to silence dissent. He was reportedly stopped without a warrant, not told why he was being arrested, and held incommunicado for over five hours. Police officers also confiscated the phones of Saba and his father, making it difficult to document the arrest or contact a lawyer.

During detention, Saba was beaten, threatened, and denied medical care despite his injuries. He was pressured to sign a confession. A forensic report confirmed that his injuries were consistent with torture. However, authorities have delayed recognizing him as a victim, and no progress has been made in investigating his allegations more than six months later.

Detention and trial

Saba is being held in a high-security prison typically used for those serving life sentences. He is kept in solitary confinement with little or no human contact. These conditions may also amount to ill-treatment and reflect the punitive nature of his detention.

His trial has raised serious concerns. At his first court appearance, Saba showed visible injuries and described his abuse, but the judge dismissed his claims. The court ordered his detention without properly considering alternatives. The hearing was closed to journalists and the public. Meanwhile, the court ignored major gaps in the prosecution’s case and did not ensure the defense could properly question police witnesses.

A pattern of impunity

While Saba remains behind bars and faces serious charges, no police officers have been held accountable for the alleged torture and mistreatment. His case is part of a broader trend in Georgia where peaceful protesters are punished, while law enforcement officials accused of abuse are not investigated. This pattern raises serious concerns about the misuse of the justice system to intimidate activists and suppress dissent.

Please take action as soon as possible until December 25, 2025. The UA will be duly updated should there be the need for further action.