Some Young Demonstrators Were Ruthlessly Beaten
The Human Rights Center obtained exclusive video-materials which shows how law enforcement officers beat Giorgi Bekauri, an activist from the youth movement “Why”.
On May 15, Giorgi Bekauri participated in the rally in front of the Main Tbilisi Police Department. Law. enforcement officers dispersed the demonstrators.
Giorgi was one of those 39 detainees most of whom later either were fined under administrative law or sent to prison for 30 days. However, Giorgi’s case is extraordinary – he was neither fined nor imprisoned. He was so ruthlessly beaten that policemen were afraid to put him in prison because he could die there. Consequently, on may 15 late at night the law enforcement officers left him in the street near the Gudushauri hospital. 8 of the detainees also were been but not as severely as Giorgi.
“Ruthlessly beaten Giorgi Bekauri was left nearby the hospital by policemen. The bones of his head were fractured in several places by iron truncheons and he was beaten with a chain,” said Natia Kobalia, a founder of the youth movement.
According to Natia Kobalia,, Luka Tsuladze, a founder of the movement, also was severly beaten. Tsuladze also is in the hospital. And the mother of Luka Tsuladze also was beaten when she tried to help her son during the dispersal. Vato Bilanishvili, a member of the movement, said that policemen beat Luka’s mother..
As a result of the dispersal 8 members of the organization of which Giorgi Bekauri was a member, “Why”, were detained. However, on June 16 the court released Giorgi Sikharulidze, Vako Maisuradze, Shako Esadze, Zura Macharashvili, Sandro Makharadze and Temur Kandashvili. The court fined them 400 GEL. Merab Chikashvili, leader and founder of the movement was sent to prison for 30 days.
Natia Kobalia stated that all members of “Why” were beaten by policemen. They cannot get information about the health conditions of Merab Chikashvili because law enforcement officers are blocking it.
The Human Rights Center will provide the video recording showing the beating of Giorgi Bekauri. Vato Bilanishvili provided the Center with the recording. It shows the injuries of Bekauri.
The Human Rights Center condemns the action of the policemen and demands that corresponding bodies investigate the incident impartially. The Center calls upon international and local organizations and media sources to influence law enforcement bodies to investigate the incident immediately and punish offenders in accordance with the law.
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