Last night, representatives of the Public Defender visited 8 people, including blogger Ucha Abashidze, who pointed to psychological pressure and verbal abuse from the law enforcement officers. Information regarding the above has already been provided to the Special Investigation Service.

In addition, in a conversation with the Public Defender’s representative, the detainee mentioned that during the search of his house, he systematically requested the entry of lawyers, but to no avail.

The Public Defender points out that the detainee should be immediately given the opportunity to meet with a lawyer in order to fully realize his right of defence. The Public Defender will also study the episode of interference with the lawyer's activities.

Some other detainees also mentioned ill-treatment, about which the Public Defender's Office immediately provided information to the Special Investigation Service.

The Public Defender’s Office continues to search for the detainees and to interview them in order to get information about their physical state and conditions of detention.

We will periodically inform the public about the visits and results.

The hotline of the Public Defender's Office - 14 81 - works 24 hours a day to receive notifications about rights violations.