How Similar Is Georgian Law Enforcement to Russian-Style OMON?

In the last 12 days, Georgian law enforcement has arrested hundreds of individuals and seriously injured more than 200 during what were largely peaceful protests. Observing these actions through firsthand experience with OMON in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, it’s striking how closely Georgian police have mirrored the infamous tactics of Russian-style OMON.

Unprovoked Arrests

OMON’s strategy often includes arresting people simply for participating in protests, with no other reason. This tactic works because it discourages people from showing up. During the 2019 election protests in Kazakhstan, many were detained not because they broke any law but because they were there. We’ve seen the same in Georgia—peaceful protesters taken away without cause. This is undemocratic because it punishes people for speaking up and creates fear of expressing dissent.

Excessive Force

Another hallmark of OMON tactics is the heavy use of force, often unnecessary. This is meant not just to break up protests but to scare people from protesting again. In Uzbekistan’s 2019 unrest, for example, security forces used brutal measures to disperse crowds, even attacking those who were not resisting. In Georgia, police have been seen using similar levels of force against demonstrators. This undermines democratic principles because it makes peaceful assembly dangerous and silences voices through violence.

Mass Arrests

Mass arrests are another key feature of OMON’s playbook. The goal is to quickly disrupt protests by removing as many people as possible, making it harder for organizers to keep the momentum going. During Kazakhstan’s 2019 protests, hundreds of people were arrested in a single day. Georgia has used this same tactic recently, and it’s fundamentally undemocratic because it criminalizes protest and treats participants as enemies of the state.

Harassment by Civilian Groups

OMON often uses civilians to harass protesters, creating confusion and making it look like the protests are unpopular. In Kyrgyzstan during the 2019 Koy-Tash events, civilian groups targeted demonstrators, escalating tensions and discrediting the protests. In Georgia, similar tactics have been reported, where organized civilian groups harass protesters, further mirroring OMON methods. This is undemocratic because it manipulates public perception and shields authorities from accountability.

It’s clear that Georgian law enforcement is using strategies that mirror OMON doctrine. These methods aren’t about maintaining public order—they’re about control and fear, both of which have no place in a democratic society.