Defence treats psychological pressure as reason for prisoners' protest in Tbilisi

An advocate of one of the prisoners, who cut their own hands, has demanded from the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) of Georgia to investigate the incident, claiming that it was provoked by the psychological pressure on the prisoners. Earlier, they complained about the custody conditions in this prison, Gela Nikolaishvili, a rights defender, has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on September 8, prisoners' family members went on a hunger strike demanding a large-scale amnesty before the October 31 elections. On September 22, amid the hunger strike of their relatives, three prisoners inflicted cuts on themselves.

Gela Nikolaishvili, a lawyer and activist of the NGO "Former Political Prisoners for Human Rights", said that the prisoners of Tbilisi Prison No. 8 had complained about the custody conditions and violations of their rights. For example, they may be illegally deprived of visits or the right to make phone calls; they are not taken out for a walk for a long time; and their health is not examined on time, despite their malaises.

A total of 18 women continue their hunger strike demanding a mass amnesty. They stay around the clock in front of the parliament building and would not disperse until their demands are met.