Public Defender's Office Visits 49 Arrested Protesters; 47 Detained for Administrative Violations
By Liza Mchedlidze
Thursday, May 2, 2024
The Public Defender's office staff visited 49 individuals who were arrested at protests against the 'foreign agents' law over the past two days. It was reported that 47 of them were arrested for administrative rule violations.
Based on their information, 31 individuals reported experiencing improper treatment by the police and special forces, which included the use of disproportionate force. The majority of these individuals also sustained injuries.
"MP Levan Khabeishvili was also brutally assaulted, according to his own statement, by law enforcement officers. Additionally, journalists from the publication Publika were injured as a result of pepper spray, and the camera crew of TV Pirveli encountered hindrances in their work.
We visited 49 people on the night of April 30 and throughout the day on May 1. Of these, 47 are detained administratively.
The visits took place at the detention centers in Tbilisi, Zugdidi, Telavi, Dusheti, Mtskheta, Gori, and Khashuri.
Thirty-one individuals reported instances of improper treatment by the police and special forces, including the use of disproportionate force. Most of them sustained injuries. Nineteen out of the 31 individuals required a response, prompting the Public Defender's Office to immediately notify the Special Investigation Service. Visits to the detainees are currently ongoing," the statement reads.
The ombudsman once again called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs to refrain from unnecessarily interfering in the freedom of assembly and expression of citizens, and to prevent physical retaliation and acts of violence against peaceful protesters by law enforcement officers.
The Public Defender urged the Special Investigation Service to take all necessary actions regarding potential crimes committed by law enforcement officers.
