Five security officials have been arrested on charges of violence against protesters in Tbilisi.
Security officials accused of violence against protesters in Georgia have been placed under arrest. Hearings on the election and pretrial detention measures were held behind closed doors.
As reported by the Caucasian Knot, five former and current security officials have been detained in Georgia on charges of violence against participants in pro-European protests in 2024. Victims, activists, and representatives of opposition parties called the detention a farce and an attempt to deceive the public.
Since the protests in Georgia began on November 28, 2024, security forces have detained more than 300 people, most of whom reported extreme cruelty. Human rights activists and journalists have been hospitalized with similar injuries. The stories of protesters beaten by security forces are described in a "Caucasian Knot" report.
The acting head of a unit in the State Security Service's Special Operations Department and an employee of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs' Department for Special Assignments, accused in the case of physical violence against opposition politician Levan Khabeishvili, have been remanded in custody.
The decision was made by Tbilisi City Court Judge Levan Gelovani. Both defendants are charged with abuse of office with the use of violence.
The hearing at the Tbilisi City Court was held behind closed doors. The defendants do not have lawyers, Interpressnews reported.
Levan Khabeishvili, chairman of the opposition UNM party, commented on the investigation launched two years after the attack on him at today's trial, where he is the defendant.
He recalled that immediately after the beating, he stated in parliament that Zviad Kharazishvili, who at the time headed the special forces and filmed Khabeishvili's beating, participated in the attack. The opposition politician also noted that two years ago, speaking in parliament, he said that a security officer dictated to him the conditions under which he was ready to stop torture - to make humiliating confessions on video, writes Tbilisi Life.
Since the start of mass protests against the rejection of European integration, activists and opposition members have claimed that security forces are unjustifiably using riot gear and excessive force against protesters. On November 29, 2024, the Ministry of Health reported 33 injuries during the protests. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 107 people were detained on November 29 and the night of November 30, and 10 police officers were injured. On the night of December 1, security forces used a water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 50 people were detained. 44 people were taken to hospitals—27 protesters, one journalist, and 16 police officers. The Prime Minister then praised the security forces who dispersed the protesters.
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