The Tbilisi City Court has found Saba Skhvitardize, a member of the opposition “Coalition for Change,” guilty of intentionally causing minor bodily harm to Mirian Kavtaradze, head of the Main Department of Detectives of the Tbilisi Police Department.
Judge Jvebe Natchkebia sentenced Skhvitardize to two years in prison. In delivering the verdict, the judge noted that while the offense could normally be punished with a fine, this option was not applicable as the defendant had failed to pay a previous fine.
The judge explained that the court examined the evidence, including video footage, and accepted the claims and legal arguments presented by the defense before reaching its decision.
Skhvitardize was initially charged under Part 2 of Article 353-Prime of the Criminal Code for assaulting a law enforcement officer. However, at the request of the prosecution, the charge was later reclassified to Article 120, which concerns the intentional infliction of minor bodily harm. The article allows for punishment ranging from a fine or corrective labor, to house arrest, or imprisonment for one to three years.
Notably, Skhvitardize also holds victim status in the same case. He has reported multiple incidents of physical and psychological abuse by law enforcement officers following his detention, raising concerns over the treatment of detainees in custody.
Image: IPN
