Public Defender: 22 out of 23 Detainees Allege Police Misconduct

"22 out of 23 detainees have reported improper treatment by the police, and 16 of them have requested an investigation by the Special Investigation Service."

On May 13, the Internal Affairs Ministry arrested 23 participants of the rally against the Russian Law on so-called Foreign Agents near the Parliament building. They are accused of petty hooliganism and disobedience to police requests. Three of the arrested persons are citizens of foreign countries, namely G.B., a citizen of the Russian Federation, born in 2002, and P.H., a citizen of the United States of America, born in 1995, and another citizen of the same country.

The media captured several incidents of peaceful protesters being arrested by the police. In most cases, the police received orders from their superiors to make arrests, after which Internal Affairs Ministry representatives suddenly moved toward the protesters, targeting specific individuals. They proceeded to beat them in the face and head before dragging them to the side where special forces were located. Video footage shows police officers, Internal Affairs Ministry Special Tasks Department employees, and special forces kicking the face and head of the arrested individuals, who often fell to the ground.

Due to injuries inflicted by the police, one of the protesters, Guram Adamia, who was arrested on May 13, was transferred to the hospital from the temporary detention center yesterday. He has a concussion, numerous bruises on his face, and other injuries.

The Public Defender stated that they have directed the investigation agencies to implement a timely and effective response to the facts of violence against the following persons: Levan Khabeishvili, Sofo Japaridze, Aleko Elisashvili, Gia Japaridze, Giorgi Mumladze, Boris Chele Kurua, Nodar Chachanidze, Dimitri Chikovani, Biker Lasha Gvinianidze, DJ Giorgi Shengelia, the father of civil activist Anna Subeliani, US and Georgian citizen Theodore Jonas, and teacher Lado Abkhazava. Also, investigate the attack on Publica journalist Aleksandre Keshelashvili and journalists of the same media, Tabula journalist Giorgi Badridze, Aprili journalist Giorgi Baskhajauri, and TV Pirveli regarding a possible ambush and the interference of the camera crew of the same TV company. Investigations are also ongoing regarding the attack on Giorgi Kldiashvili, the executive director of the Information Freedom Development Institute (IDFI), and the Formula film crew. Furthermore, the Public Defender is looking into violent actions recorded in several video materials, including cases of violence against a citizen on Leonidze Street and the attack on a group of young people at Heroes Square on May 13 and the previous days.

"In the instances of attacks on representatives of opposition parties, journalists, and rally participants, there are signs of persecution based on their political activities and opinions."

The Public Defender calls upon investigative agencies to promptly identify the responsibility of all alleged perpetrators and to take appropriate legal measures to identify both law-breaking policemen and violent individuals or groups, as well as their organizers and/or instigators.

On May 13, the Special Investigative Service initiated an investigation into the excessive use of force by the police against rally participants in front of the Parliament under subsection b of the third part of Article 333 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to exceeding official authority.