Employees fired from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, LEPLs, NNLEs ... - Ombudsman on dismissals on political grounds

According to the Public Defender, 62 employees were subjected to various forms of pressure - it is about violations of human rights during the pre-election process. According to the ombudsman's office, most of these individuals confirmed the facts of pressure and dismissal with the ombudsman's representatives, citing as a motive the kinship, friendship or good relations with former Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia's party members.

"Employees were fired from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, municipal services, LEPLs established by various municipalities, NNLEs and other public institutions. Citizens allege that their superiors asked them to write a resignation letter, which some agreed to and some did not, after which they were fired on other grounds. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated against some of them.

In this case, this is a crime under the Criminal Code - prosecution for political views. On August 31, 2021, the Public Defender referred the cases related to 34 persons to the General Prosecutor's Office of Georgia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia for investigation and response. As the Office receives daily reports and reports of such incidents, the Public Defender's Office periodically provides additional information on such incidents to law enforcement agencies and monitors their response to them, as well as investigates individual cases of possible discrimination and discrimination.

"The ombudsman emphasizes that it is inadmissible to persecute people for their political views and opinions, including with the usage of political dismissal," the statement said.