Tbilisi City Court Judge Koba Chagunava fined Davit Katsarava, the leader of the Anti-Occupation Movement, who was illegally arrested and beaten by special forces at a rally against the Russian Law, 2000 GEL. Additionally, Katsarava was deprived of the right to carry weapons for up to 2 years.
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The Ministry of Internal Affairs disputed the charges of petty hooliganism and verbal abuse of a police officer against Davit Katsarava, which are provided for under Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. Judge Chagunava dismissed the proceedings for petty hooliganism due to a lack of evidence but found Katsarava guilty of insulting a police officer.
According to the judge, Katsarava's comments to the special forces, referring to them as representatives of the Russian government, were insulting to those who serve to protect Georgia's interests.
"With this decision, the ruling party and the court have effectively justified the violence and treatment akin to torture that the special forces used against me," Katsarava stated on the court's decision.
Davit Katsarava was arrested on May 14. Footage distributed from the incident shows him standing a few meters away from the special forces and addressing them. "In 20 kilometers, the Russians are facing us, and you have become the defenders of the Russians. You know what law they signed. You know that you are Russians..." - Katsarava was interrupted as the special forces rushed to arrest him and took him outside their cordon. According to the civil activist, he was beaten five times while handcuffed, including in the car, with targeted blows to the head and face.
The Special Investigative Service has launched an investigation into the violence under Article 333, Part Three, Sub-Clause B, of the Criminal Code, which pertains to exceeding official authority by violence or the use of weapons. This crime is punishable by imprisonment for five to eight years. Although Davit Katsarava has been recognized as a victim, no arrests have been made by the Special Investigative Service so far.
During the trial held on July 5, two police officers testified against Katsarava. Bidzina Zhamerashvili stated that Katsarava had called the special squad members "Russian slaves," claimed that he was "in contempt of the law," and stated that the special forces arrested him "at the right moment."
