**Police Brutality on the Rise**
A local human rights group is calling for an investigation into police brutality against protesters. The Social Justice Center (SJC) says that excessive force and retaliation by police have become a “normalized practice” in recent protests.
The SJC wants both the Special Investigation Service (SIS) and the Prosecutor’s Office to look into cases of police brutality, especially when senior officers are involved. One such officer is Zviad Kharazishvili, who was seen beating a protester on video footage that went viral.
**Masked Police Spark Concern**
Large numbers of police were deployed at a protest near Tbilisi Mall in February. Most wore masks, making it hard to identify them. The SJC says this is a “gross violation” of human rights standards and gives officers total impunity.
The watchdog group shared several videos showing police brutality against peaceful demonstrators, including beatings in police vans. One video shows Kharazishvili himself beating a protester.
**Government Criticized**
The SJC criticized the government for criminalizing roadblocks, saying it undermines the rule of law. The group says this move violates both the Georgian Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Not a single police officer has been punished or investigated since November 28 for their role in violently suppressing protests. On February 2, 31 people were arrested, many beaten by police, with four hospitalized for concussions.
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