At least five activists hospitalized after being beaten in Tbilisi

In Georgia, at least five persons who were beaten during a protest action in Tbilisi or after their detention have been hospitalized. Politician Nika Meliya, who was released after being detained, claimed that a law enforcer kicked him while he was handcuffed. In total, about 30 people were arrested at the protest actions.

On February 2, at an action held in front of the “Tbilisi Mall” shopping centre, several hundred people demanded to release those detained at the protest actions. Law enforcers detained at least four protesters, including politician Nika Meliya.

Nika Meliya, one of the leaders of the opposition “Akhali” Party of the “For Change” coalition, claimed that one of the law enforcers kicked him, the “Tbilisi Life” Telegram channel reports.

Three protesters have been hospitalized with a preliminary diagnosis of brain concussion. They claim that they were being hit on their heads after their arrests. In total, according to the preliminary information, five protestors have been hospitalized.

The protesters also report that, according to their information, about 30 people have already been arrested.

The “Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association” (GYLA) NGO called on the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia to initiate criminal proceedings against Zviad Kharazishvili, the head of the Georgian special forces, and suspend his powers. The GYLA claims that Zviad Kharazishvili participated in the use of violence against those detained at the protest action.