Security forces detained in Georgia for beating protesters in 2024

Five former and current security officials have been detained in Georgia on charges of violence against participants in pro-European protests in 2024. Victims, activists, and representatives of opposition parties have called the detentions a farce and an attempt to deceive the public.

As reported by Caucasian Knot, since the protests in Georgia began on November 28, 2024, security forces have detained more than 300 people, most of whom reported extreme cruelty. Human rights activists and journalists have also been hospitalized with similar injuries. The stories of protesters beaten by security forces are described in a report by the "Caucasian Knot."

According to investigators, the detained security forces were involved in the beating of protester Zviad Maisashvili, politician Levan Khabeishvili, and journalist Guram Rogava. The defendants include three former and one current special forces officer, as well as a current employee of the Interior Ministry's security police. Georgian Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze announced this at a briefing today, according to Newsgeorgia.

The first episode concerns the events of November 30, 2024, and the beating of 23-year-old activist Zviad Maisashvili by special forces on Rustaveli Avenue. In a video captured by bystanders, two officers from the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Special Operations Department, one of whom is currently a member of the Security Police, beat a protester, including kicking him in the face after he had already fallen to the ground. Maisashvili lost consciousness, JAMnews reports.

The video also heard the screams of a young woman trying to save him. She fought off the special forces with her fists and screamed for an ambulance, after which the special forces fled, leaving the activist unconscious.

Maisashvili said he regained consciousness in an ambulance. He then learned that actors Giorgi Bakhutashvili and Nanka Kalatozishvili, who were also participating in the protests, had carried him there. That same night, special forces also beat his brother Giorgi, who escaped with bruises all over his body and face.

The second episode is related to the attack on the leader of the United National Movement party, Levan Khabeishvili, on April 30, 2024. After being attacked by two Interior Ministry special operations officers at a rally outside the government administration building, Khabeishvili was hospitalized with facial fractures and broken teeth.

Earlier, National Movement member Mariam Dolidze named those she claimed participated in the beating of Levan Khabeishvili. "According to the information I have, the head of the Main Operations Department of the State Security Service, Iago Akhalkatsi; department heads Lasha Chikaidze, Ioseb Kobakhidze, Anzor Khmiadashvili, and a staff member of the Main Operations Department, Davit Kamarauli, are the alleged perpetrators who were directly involved in the beating and torture of Levan Khabeishvili on April 30, 2024," she stated.

According to her, the head of the Special Forces Department, Zviad Kharazishvili, his deputy, Mirza Kezevadze, and the deputy head of the Main Patrol Police Department, Goga Memanishvili, were also present at the scene. They photographed and filmed the torture and later distributed the materials.

The third episode concerns the attack on journalist Guram Rogava on November 29, 2024. Then, an officer from the Ministry of Internal Affairs' Special Operations Department attacked a Formula TV reporter who was doing his job as a journalist – reporting live on how special forces were selectively targeting protesters, abducting, arresting, and beating people.

The special forces officer lunged at the journalist from behind and struck him in the head. Rogava fell headfirst onto the curb and lost consciousness. As a result of the attack, doctors diagnosed a fractured cervical vertebra and facial bone.He required lengthy rehabilitation.

According to Gvarakadze, two of the five defendants were already in custody on other criminal and administrative charges. Three more were detained today. He did not disclose their names or ranks. All five were charged with abuse of office with violence, and in the case of the attack on the journalist, also with obstruction of the journalist's professional activities. The maximum penalty under these articles is up to eight years in prison.

The prosecutor's office has already filed a motion with the court to remand all defendants in custody. The investigation is ongoing.

Gvarakadze noted that thousands of procedural actions have been conducted and more than 550 people have been questioned as part of the investigation. He added that they are continuing to identify others responsible for the violence against demonstrators.

Opposition Reaction

According to one of the victims, Zviad Maisashvili, charging five people is a drop in the ocean; in reality, many more people were involved in the systematic violence and torture, Interpressnews reported today.

He added that the arrest of five special forces officers is not a victory, because no one knows whether they actually committed a crime. "I haven't spoken to any investigators, no one has contacted me. The arrest of these people is questionable, especially given how much time has passed. I don't think this story is a reason to celebrate, because we don't really know who these people are or whether they are guilty. In reality, many more people were involved in the systematic violence and torture; there weren't just five special forces officers; it was a systematic crime. They simply had no other choice, and they gave us a small piece of the puzzle," said Zviad Maisashvili.

According to Levan Khabeishvili's lawyer, Lasha Tkesheladze, the main culprit is the head of the Georgian special forces, Zviad Kharazishvili (Khareba), Pirveli TV reports.

"There is no criminal without a mastermind. Catching these few scoundrels will give us nothing in the Levan Khabeishvili case, because Levan Khabeishvili was tortured by dozens "He named nine alleged officers who used violence against him. The main culprit, Khareba, must be punished, otherwise this whole thing is a farce and will achieve nothing. Therefore, I once again call on the prosecutor's office to punish not only the perpetrators, but also those who gave the order," said Lasha Tkesheladze.

One of the leaders of the "For Change" coalition, Nika Gvaramia, believes that the prosecutor general's announcement about the arrest of security officials is a clear attempt at self-preservation on the part of Bidzina Ivanishvili.

"The prosecutor's announcement about the arrest of police officers on the eve of tomorrow's meeting with a representative of the US State Department is a clear attempt by Bidzina to re-align himself with the West and save himself. If necessary, early elections cannot be ruled out—by creating a formal basis for the removal of Kobakhidze, who is already being prepared for removal, and by dissolving parliament. The release of some political prisoners is also highly likely," he said. Gvaramia.

The Lelo-Strong Georgia party called the arrest of security forces a "cheap farce" and a "poorly staged performance" aimed at deceiving the public and temporarily neutralizing international pressure, Tabula reports.

"This is not a real fight against crime, because Ivanishvili's anti-Georgian regime is still harboring dozens of criminals who participated in the brutal suppression of peaceful protests and the persecution of journalists and political opponents. Among them are the criminals who kidnapped and mercilessly beat Aleko Elisashvili, the criminals who committed violence against journalist Maka Chikhladze and her cameraman, as well as the criminals who committed violence against David Katsarava and other peaceful protesters," the party's statement reads.

Since the start of mass protests against the rejection of European integration, activists and opposition members have claimed that security forces special means and excessive force are being used against protesters without justification. On November 29, 2024, the Ministry of Health reported 33 injuries during the protests. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, on November 29 and the night of November 30, 107 people were detained, and 10 police officers were injured. On the night of December 1, security forces used a water cannon and tear gas to disperse protesters. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, 50 people were detained. 44 people were taken to hospitals - 27 protesters, one journalist, and 16 police officers. The Prime Minister then praised the security forces who dispersed the protesters.