Torture of detainees in Abkhazia goes unpunished

In Abkhazia, it is periodically reported about torture of suspects, but guilty persons were never punished in any of those cases. Most cases of torture are hushed up, because, according to the Abkhazian mentality, “it’s a shame to be a victim.”

Today, the edition “JamNews” has posted an investigation into cases of torture in the law enforcement bodies of Abkhazia.

Abkhazian law enforcers use electric current to pass through the victim’s body. They also use torture with water, when they put a victim on his back and pour water on his mouth and nose. Law enforcers also beat their victims on legs, in particular, on soles. There are cases of violence with the use of a baton. One of the detainees had his tongue pierced. Another detainee lost his voice because of torture, the newspaper reported with reference to its sources in the law enforcement bodies and victims of torture.

The cases of torture were confirmed by advocate Inga Gabilaya. “There were cases when I came to attend an interrogation and saw that my client was beaten. Most of my clients categorically refused to conduct a medical examination. I associate such refusals with the mentality of our people. The point is that it is a shame to be a victim,” said the advocate as quoted by the edition.

However, even in case when a victim wanted to bring law enforcers to justice for torture, no one was ever liable before the law for such incidents. As an example, the edition refers to the case with the death of Anzor Tarba.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on December 22, 2021 at 04:11 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.