On Police Day, Georgian Minister of Internal Affairs Sulkhan Tamazashvili commented on the incident in Gori, where police officers used violence against two citizens.
He noted that what happened was a “very grave incident,” but, according to the minister, there is no need to discuss the details of the event in depth today, on Police Day.
“The incident in Gori was a very grave matter. However, today I do not see the need to delve into the details. The public has seen that the state has clearly stated its position on this issue. That is all I can say at the moment. No one gave an order; it all happened spontaneously,” Tamazashvili stated.
As a reminder, the court ordered a preventive measure in the form of detention for the six police officers accused of violence against Papuna Lotsulashvili and Lasha Abisonashvili—Aleksi Badalov, Giorgi Tskrialashvili, Saba Tsavelidze, Ivane Misireli, Vladimir Goderdzishvili, and Beso Malatsidze.
The incident occurred in Gori, in the so-called “Kombinat” district, where law enforcement officers used physical force against two citizens—Papuna Lotsulashvili and his friend.
Six law enforcement officers were detained in connection with the incident. They have been charged under Article 333, Part 3, Paragraph “b” of the Criminal Code of Georgia—abuse of official authority committed with the use of violence, which carries a penalty of five to eight years in prison.
A case has also been opened against Papuna Lotsulashvili himself under Article 353 of the Criminal Code—use of violence against a police officer.
The public is wondering why the police officers have not been charged under the article on torture against a citizen.