The Public Defender of Georgia, Levan Ioseliani, stated that the severity of the injuries sustained by the protesters effectively rules out any possibility that the police used proportionate force against them.
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The Public Defender’s Office has visited more than 200 individuals detained during the protests. According to Levan Ioseliani, “a significant part” of these detainees reported the use of disproportionate force by the police. Ioseliani personally met with victims at the Ingorokva University Clinic, where he noted that all of them had suffered head injuries.
“In most cases, they have sustained serious injuries to the face, eyes, and head, which practically rules out the possibility that the police used necessary and proportionate force in all instances. The location, nature, and severity of the injuries strongly suggest that the police are employing violent methods against citizens as a form of punishment. Intentional and severe violence for punitive purposes constitutes an act of torture,” said Levan Ioseliani.
Ioseliani emphasized that participation in protests should not entail the risk of physical harm. He called for a prompt investigation into the incidents of violence by the Special Investigation Service.
As per information from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, five individuals have been detained under criminal charges and 293 under administrative law during the protests, which have been ongoing since November 28.
Following the December 2 protest alone, Emergency Center teams transported 26 people to medical facilities, 23 of whom were participants in the demonstration.
On December 3, Georgia's illegitimate Prime Minister, Irakli Kobakhidze, reiterated his gratitude to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, claiming that police officers are operating at “higher standards than those in America and Europe.”
