The Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia has opened a criminal investigation into alleged abuse of authority involving violence by police officers in Gori, after video footage circulated online showing law enforcement officers physically assaulting a detainee during an arrest in the Kombinati district.
The footage, published by local outlet Kartlis Ambebi on Wednesday May 27, shows several police officers allegedly assaulting a man, later identified as Papuna Lotsulashvili, who is lying on the ground and covering his head with his hands while being restrained. In the video, one officer is seen punching the detainee in the head as others hold him down. The man appears to be attempting to shield himself while officers continue the arrest.
According to Kartlis Ambebi, the head of the Shida Kartli Police Department, Sergi Bzishvili, was also present in the Kombinati settlement at the time of the incident. The outlet also cited unverified claims that one of the detainees may have been in possession of a cold weapon, although this has not been officially confirmed.
The case was launched under Article 333, Part 3, Subparagraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which concerns abuse of official authority committed with violence and carries a prison sentence of five to eight years. The Prosecutor’s Office said that urgent investigative and procedural actions are underway and pledged to inform the public about the results once available.
Public reaction followed quickly after the footage spread online. Bishop Zenon, Archbishop of Dmanisi and Agarak-Tashir, strongly condemned the alleged conduct, saying such acts go beyond physical violence and amount to deep psychological and social trauma. He warned that when those tasked with protecting citizens become sources of fear, it damages trust and the moral fabric of society. He also stressed that incidents involving multiple officers acting against one person can leave a particularly severe impression on the public, reinforcing perceptions of unchecked power and impunity.
Further criticism came from Lotsulashvili’s lawyer, Lasha Tkesheladze, who confirmed that his client had been transferred to a detention isolator shortly after the incident. Speaking to Kartlis Ambebi, he said it was particularly concerning that the same officers allegedly involved in the assault were also responsible for transporting the detainee. He argued that this created a situation in which a victim of alleged violence remained under the control of the individuals accused of harming him.
Tkesheladze also said that multiple officers were involved in the incident, describing it as coordinated violence rather than an isolated act. He called for the investigation to be escalated, arguing that the case should be reclassified under provisions relating to torture. According to him, the video evidence clearly shows sustained violence and raises serious questions about accountability within the police response.
In a development, the Prosecutor’s Office on Thursday confirmed that six individuals, including police officers, were arrested over allegations that they had exceeded their official authority through violence during the detention. Authorities said the investigation found that substantial harm was allegedly caused to the victim’s rights and health. The suspects were detained on May 28 based on evidence collected shortly after the incident.
Yet Tkesheladze claimed that more police officers were involved in the violent assault against Lotsulashvili than the six officers currently detained, arguing again that the charges should be reclassified under torture-related provisions rather than abuse of authority. According to Tkesheladze, Lotsulashvili was “beaten and tortured in three separate episodes” and suffered serious injuries, including a broken rib.
“Punishing six people is not enough. Not only is the legal qualification incorrect, but not all responsible individuals have been held accountable,” the lawyer said, claiming that up to 10 officers participated in the violence.
The Prosecutor’s Office said the defendants are expected to be formally charged under Article 333, Part 3, Subparagraph “b”, and reiterated that it will continue to update the public due to high public interest.
Prosecutors have also launched a separate investigation against Lotsulashvili under Article 353, which concerns violence against a police officer.
The investigation remains ongoing, with officials stating that further procedural actions are underway as authorities assess the full circumstances surrounding the arrest and the conduct of the officers involved.
By Team GT
