Prepared by Messenger Staff
Public Defender Calls for Action Amid Titushky Attacks on Protesters and Journalists
On December 7, Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani condemned violent attacks carried out by groups of alleged Titushky - unofficial enforcers often associated with suppressing protests - against demonstrators and journalists near Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. Ioseliani called for immediate intervention by law enforcement to protect citizens and ensure accountability.
"For the last hour, according to the information spread in the media and social networks, in Tbilisi, near Rustaveli Avenue, people dressed in black are attacking and physically assaulting citizens and TV Pirveli journalists," Ioseliani stated. He urged police forces mobilized in the area to "respond immediately and ensure the safety of citizens on the spot," and demanded that law enforcement authorities launch an investigation and prosecute those responsible.
Journalists from TV Pirveli, including Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli, were among those targeted on Besiki Street. Chikhladze reported that Titushky physically assaulted them, confiscated their broadcasting equipment, and subjected them to verbal abuse.
In a separate incident, members of the Coalition for Change were attacked in their office. Two individuals were assaulted, including coalition member Koba Khabazi, who was reportedly beaten by the group.
Titushky Attack on Journalist Raises Concerns Over Police Response
On December 6, journalist Mindia Gabadze of Publika was reportedly attacked by a group of individuals believed to be Titushky, while at least two police officers were present at the scene. Despite requests from citizens, the police did not arrest the attackers.
In response to the incident, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze addressed the situation, stating that when a group is involved in an assault, a single police officer cannot effectively intervene. "We react to each fact and do everything that is within our mandate and defined by the law. Accordingly, when the patrol police are called, of course, they record the fact and react," Darakhvelidze said.
He stated that police officers may not have the same capabilities as specially trained units. "We cannot ask a policeman or a patrolman to have the same skills as a special forces officer or someone else who has undergone special training. When a group is violent, in this case, one person cannot do anything there," he added.
Darakhvelidze assured that the situation was being addressed, stating that the relevant units had been called, an investigation had been launched, and all necessary investigative actions were being carried out.
