PEN Georgia, the Georgian Book Association, and members of the literary community—including writers, translators, publishers, and others working in the field—express deep concern over the arrest of renowned Georgian poet Zviad Ratiani.
It is particularly troubling that Zviad Ratiani is being detained under criminal charges that carry a potential sentence of 4 to 7 years in prison. This development is part of a broader, alarming trend: the recent wave of arrests targeting participants in peaceful protests and the apparent increase in politically motivated and unfair judicial proceedings.
Available video evidence makes it clear that Mr. Ratiani’s actions posed no harm to the police officer involved—who sustained no injuries. In contrast, Mr. Ratiani has repeatedly been a victim of police violence since 2017. Most shockingly, in November 2024, he was brutally assaulted by a group of Special Tasks Department officers while offering no resistance and standing with his hands raised—actions that are also clearly documented on video. No government representative has publicly responded to this episode of violence. Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and judges have remained silent as footage shows police kicking a defenseless man in the face. Instead of addressing this abuse, government officials and State-aligned media have focused solely on condemning Mr. Ratiani’s alleged misconduct—an act of protest that may have violated the law but warrants, at most, a fine. The disproportionate response by the authorities is deeply concerning.
We urge the judiciary to uphold fundamental human rights, adhere to principles of fairness and proportionality, and act with compassion and reason. As stated by Mr. Ratiani and his legal counsel during the June 25 court hearing, there is neither a risk of flight nor a threat of further criminal conduct. Therefore, his continued pre-trial detention until August 14 is unwarranted.
We call for his immediate release on bail, in accordance with his lawyer’s petition.
We will continue to monitor the case closely, advocate for Mr. Ratiani’s rights through peaceful and legal means, and work to ensure that his case receives international attention and support from human rights organizations.
