Legal Aid Network Reports Alleged Abuses Amid December 7 Arrests
By Liza Mchedlidze
Monday, December 9, 2024
The Legal Aid Network of Non-Governmental Organizations has issued a statement condemning alleged abuses during and after arrests made on December 7, 2024. The network reported receiving hundreds of calls on its hotline, highlighting injuries among detainees and claims of inhumane treatment by law enforcement.
The statement detailed the challenges faced by lawyers attempting to meet detainees due to overcrowded isolation cells and limited meeting facilities, leading to significant delays. According to the network, most of those arrested showed signs of injuries of varying severity.
"On December 7, 2024, the hotline of the legal aid network of non-governmental organizations received hundreds of calls. Lawyers for the network have so far sought out and met with the peaceful demonstrators arrested last night," the statement read.
The organization raised concerns about individuals being forcibly taken from their homes by people claiming to be law enforcement officials, often without uniforms or proper identification. "In the afternoon, the hotline received information about a number of people who were approached at their homes by persons unknown to them. According to their family members and friends, these persons were taken out of their homes by persons who identified themselves as representatives of the law enforcement agency, but were not wearing police uniforms," the statement said.
One particularly alarming account detailed alleged coercion during detention. "Masked people, during the arrest, forced the person who was in the police car with him to hold a knife, at the same time repeating to him that it was his cold weapon," the statement alleged.
The network accused authorities of conducting warrantless searches, inflicting violence on peaceful demonstrators, and subjecting detainees to inhumane treatment and torture. "Until now, people are being taken from their homes and various spaces to law enforcement agencies without justification... peaceful demonstrators are being beaten, inhumanely treated, and tortured," the statement added.
As of now, lawyers from the network are representing over 500 individuals in courts and investigative bodies. "The lawyers of the network continue to work non-stop to help the detainees," the statement reads.
