**Georgian Government Accused of Torturing Protesters**
The Georgian government has been accused of torturing and mistreating protesters. On December 18, representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) held a briefing to share evidence of the Ministry of Interior’s (MIA) alleged torture plans.
**Torture Methods Used by MIA**
According to the NGOs, the MIA used various aggressive tactics to disperse peaceful demonstrators, including water cannons with unknown substances, pepper spray, and tear gas. Tear gas was used in large quantities, causing severe breathing and vision problems. Demonstrators were sometimes surrounded, making it impossible for them to escape.
**Physical Abuse During Arrests**
During arrests, special forces subjected detainees to severe physical abuse. They continued the violence even after taking detainees into custody. Groups of Special Forces took turns entering vehicles to further assault detainees, targeting sensitive areas such as the face, head, and kidneys.
Detainees were also robbed of their personal belongings, including clothing, telephones, and wallets. Some detainees were subjected to inhumane acts, such as being locked in vehicles with gas canisters or being doused with cold water after being beaten.
**Verbal Abuse and Humiliation**
Detainees were verbally abused and threatened with death, rape, or serious injury. They were also humiliated through degrading acts, some of which were videotaped. One particularly egregious case involved threats to kill and bury a detainee in the Lisi Lake area in Tbilisi.
**Police Witnesses Accused of Perjury**
In court, police witnesses gave general and identical testimony claiming that detainees used insults such as “slaves” or “Russians.” However, when two witnesses were present together, they contradicted each other. Some police officers testified to witnessing incidents that video footage later showed did not happen.
**Eight Police Officers Accused of Perjury**
The NGOs have identified eight police officers who are accused of perjury: Giorgi Charekashvili; Tornike Menabde; Sulkhan Kiknadze; Revaz Tsurtsumia; Zviad Margvelani; Zurab Gharibashvili; Davit Miruashvili; and Otar Gelashvili.
**450 People Detained, Many Victims of Torture**
The NGO Hotline has received information on the administrative detention of more than 450 people. The majority of them, about 300 citizens, are victims of torture and other forms of ill-treatment. According to the Public Defender of Georgia, out of 327 detainees met by representatives of his office, 225 claim to have been victims of ill-treatment.
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