Prepared by Messenger Staff
Georgia's Public Defender Raises Concerns Over Elene Khoshtaria's Arrest and Alleged Mistreatment
Georgia's Public Defender has expressed serious concerns over the arrest of opposition leader Elene Khoshtaria, citing allegations of mistreatment during her detention. The statement from the Public Defender's Office condemned the manner in which Khoshtaria was subjected to a full body search, describing it as "humiliating and degrading treatment."
"During a full search by law enforcement officers, a person should not be required to undress different parts of the body at the same time - such a practice is humiliating and degrading treatment of a person," the statement reads.
The Public Defender also highlighted that the treatment Khoshtaria allegedly faced contradicts official regulations. "Article 5 of the Internal Regulations of the Temporary Detention Centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs stipulates that during a personal search, it is not permissible to completely undress a person being searched. Such treatment of women is particularly noteworthy," the statement emphasized.
Despite these concerns, Khoshtaria refused to meet with a representative from the Public Defender's Office while in pre-trial detention on March 29. She also declined to engage with the office after her release.
"It should be noted that on March 29, in the pre-trial detention center, Elene Khoshtaria refused to meet with a representative of the Office. The Public Defender's representative contacted Elene Khoshtaria even after her release from the center, and she again refused to cooperate with the Office," the statement said.
Nevertheless, the Public Defender's Office has announced that it will conduct its own independent investigation into the case. "The Public Defender's Office will study the case on its own initiative and will contact all relevant agencies for further action," the statement concluded.
Georgia and China Sign Agreement to Boost Financial Cooperation
Georgia and China are set to deepen their financial ties after the National Bank of Georgia (NBG) and the People's Bank of China signed a memorandum of understanding to expand cooperation. The agreement, signed by NBG President Natia Turnava and Governor of the People's Bank of China, aims to strengthen trade, improve financial stability, and encourage collaboration in key banking sectors.
According to the NBG, the memorandum lays the groundwork for joint efforts to tackle global financial challenges, reduce risks, and promote business relations between the two countries. "Our joint task is to make the banking sectors of the two countries more efficient and closer," Turnava said. "We plan to make the Georgian financial market more attractive for Chinese banks and representatives of the Chinese financial sector. It is welcome that the Chinese side has expressed great interest and desire for close cooperation with us."
The agreement includes provisions for cooperation in monetary policy, financial technology, and payment systems. It also focuses on modernizing Georgia's financial infrastructure, particularly by improving the interconnection of payment systems to ensure faster and more secure international transactions.
"In addition, within the framework of cooperation, the NBG and the People's Bank of China will implement joint projects and promote the development of banking services between the two countries," the NBG said in a statement.
