Representatives of the Public Defender visited three individuals detained on administrative charges during the protest rally held in Tbilisi on April 7.
The statement released by the Public Defender’s Office reads that two of the detainees reported alleged instances of excessive force, verbal abuse, and ill-treatment by the police.
The Public Defender’s Office has referred the case to the Special Investigation Service for appropriate legal action. It also pledged to pursue legal responses to any other violations of rights.
The Office encourages the public to report similar incidents by calling the hotline at 1481.
The police arrested three people during the rally on Rustaveli Avenue overnight. Reportedly, they had previously called on them to clear the road.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that “reports that some of the participants of the demonstration were injured during the arrest are a lie.”
“A man was bitten on the leg on Rustaveli Avenue by a stray dog in the surrounding area, which caused him to bleed heavily.
“The person was taken to a medical facility by ambulance, his condition is stable,” the ministry said.
Earlier, footage showing blood was circulated on social media. Facebook users wrote that “the police allegedly beat the participant of the demonstration and took him to the police station.”
Image: IPN
