Amnesty International said on Friday that the Georgian authorities must investigate allegations of excessive use of force by police against protesters while dispersing a rally in Tbilisi shortly after the midnight on May 26.

“While some of the protesters were armed with makeshift shields and flagpoles and clearly intent on resisting attempts to disperse them, the police have no excuse for beating those offering no resistance,” said John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International’s Director for Europe and Central Asia.

“There must be a thorough investigation into these incidents, which must also examine the instructions issued to individual officers on the ground,” he added.