The leader of the Anti-occupation Movement and civil activist, Davit Katsarava, who was illegally detained by representatives of the Internal Affairs Ministry at the rally near the Parliament on May 14, says that after his arrest, he was mercilessly beaten for an hour.
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"I was severely and mercilessly beaten four times. They aimed at my head and especially my eyes. The first time, about ten people beat me. Then they put me in a minivan, where three to four “bravehearts” entered every 10-15 minutes and beat me severely in the car.
On the fourth occasion, when they saw that the result was already satisfactory and I was completely covered in blood, they took close-up photos of me. I heard them say, “We should send them now to show them.” It was an order.
They asked me questions in a rude manner: “Why do you drag to the rallies? What do you want when you go to the occupation line?” This was followed by swearing, etc.," Davit Katsarava recalls the violence against him.
Davit Katsarava was arrested in front of the first school at around 5:20 p.m. He was addressing the police and special forces who forcibly evicted the protesters from Rustaveli Avenue in front of the Parliament after the Internal Affairs Ministry accused the demonstrators of trying to break into the legislative body's building without permission.
"In 40 kilometers, the Russians are standing here, and you have become the defenders of the Russians. You know very well what law they have signed," said Katsarava, at which point masked representatives of the Internal Affairs Ministry found him and took him away. A large amount of pepper spray was sprayed in the faces of other demonstrators who were standing next to Katsarava. Giorgi Zhamerashvili, a photojournalist of Interpress News who tried to photograph the fact of detention and violence against Katsarava, was hit with a baton.
Despite this, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze said at the press conference that Katsarava insulted and cursed the police.
"In this case, there was a fact of insult, a fact of swearing. This is not an excuse, I'm not saying that, but when there is even abuse and violence, you owe law enforcement officials the utmost patience. This is my appeal once again," said Kobakhidze.
Davit Katsarava was arrested under Articles 166 and 173 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which refer to petty hooliganism and disobedience to the police. Shortly after he was taken to the patrol police department due to multiple body injuries, the emergency medical team took him to the Ingoroqva clinic, where he underwent surgery.
Katsarava's interests are protected by Eka Kobesashvili, a lawyer of the Human Rights Center. He told Georgian News that the degree of injuries caused by the beating is severe.
"The person under my protection has broken bones in his face, cranium, and jaw. His eye is damaged, and he has a concussion.
The Special Investigation Service has not yet questioned him because he cannot talk for long periods," the lawyer plans to request the Prosecutor's Office to start an investigation against the head of the unit whose members physically assaulted Katsarava.
Thousands of protests against the Russian Law have been ongoing for a month. Representatives of the Internal Affairs Ministry severely beat Members of Parliament Levan Khabeishvili and Aleksandre Elisashvili, as well as other protesters. The prosecutor's office has not investigated any acts of violence, and no one has been charged with a criminal offense.
