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The News in Brief

Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Prepared by the Messenger Staff

Girchi — More freedom on police violence: Responding Does Not Help, the System Needs to Change


Girchi — More Freedom responds to the video, which shows how a police officer beats a citizen.

A statement from the party said, “There is no response to the incident and the system needs to be changed.”

"In the footage released today, we saw a police officer physically abusing a disabled person. He was accompanied by another police officer, who watched and did nothing to stop him. It is impossible to justify this fact. Because they say that the boy is deaf-mute.

If not for the video taken and disseminated by a third party, we don’t know how this case would have been presented to today’s Court. In a court where the testimony of two ‘credible’ police officers as witnesses is enough to make a decision. Can you imagine what a system does where a third party does not take a camera? Would this guy have been alone, or would you or your child have been in his place?

“Responding will not help, the system needs to change and it is not a dream come true,” the statement said.

A video shot in the Tbilisi metro was spread in the media. The video shows how a policeman beats a young man who is reportedly a person with disabilities.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs issued a statement regarding the incident, stating that an investigation has been launched into the case.

The State Inspector's Service has also launched an investigation into the incident of abuse of power by a police officer.

In front of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, parents of people with disabilities, civil activists, and representatives of political parties are holding a rally demanding the arrest of a police officer who beat a citizen with disabilities.