The Public Defender and his representatives have been meeting with citizens detained and injured during the protests for the fifth day in a row. Most of the citizens indicate the harshest treatment by the police.

Most of them have serious injuries to the face, eyes, and head, which practically excludes the probability that the police each time used the necessary, proportionate force against them. The location, nature and degree of the injuries create a credible impression that the police are using violent methods against citizens for the purpose of punishment.

Intentional, severe violence for the purpose of punishment constitutes an act of torture.

At this time, we would like to provide the public with additional information about the individuals detained at the protests. As of now, the Office has visited a total of 201 people, including a 21-year-old young man in the Ingorokva University Clinic, whose serious health condition is being actively reported in the media.

Following the previous days, on December 1-3, representatives of the Office additionally visited 75 people held in temporary detention centers in Tbilisi, Bagdati, Gori and Zestaponi, as well as in clinics, 56 of whom indicated ill-treatment by members of the special forces (21 of them did not express a desire for a response to their case). 44 of the detainees had various types of injuries.

Unfortunately, the information provided regarding the circumstances of the detention does not differ from the practice observed in the previous days. It is noteworthy that in recent days, a number of detainees have indicated the facts of personal belongings being taken away after the detention.

The Public Defender's Office permanently provides the Special Investigation Service with information received from citizens and disseminated through the media on alleged ill-treatment for the purpose of further legal response. The Office will also respond appropriately to the cases of personal belongings and clothing being seized from the detained citizens.

The Public Defender's representatives are currently continuing their visits and will provide the public with additional information.

The Public Defender calls on the Minister of Internal Affairs to publicly condemn every case of violence by the police and to ensure that effective measures are taken to prevent any unlawful actions by police officers.