Georgian Judicial Inspector Accuses Police of Torturing Protesters

The judicial inspector of Georgia claims that the police have tortured individuals protesting the postponement of the country's EU membership negotiations. Levan Lusseliani stated on Tuesday, December 3, that the injuries of detained protesters are "concentrated in the facial, eye, and head areas," and in a statement, he declared: "The location, type, and severity of these injuries clearly indicate that the police are using violence against citizens as a punitive measure," and "this is a clear case of torture." So far, nearly 300 people have been detained in connection with the protests and charged with public disorder and resisting arrest. Meanwhile, Georgian protesters have provided detailed accounts of the police's violent beatings against them to the Georgia service of Radio Free Europe. Protests in Georgia began hours after Irakli Kobakhidze, the Prime Minister of Georgia, announced on the evening of December 8 that his government would suspend negotiations for EU membership until 2028 and would not accept financial aid from the EU. The ruling party, "Georgian Dream," announced last month that it received 54% of the votes in the parliamentary elections and has won again; government opponents reported widespread violations and "Russian influence" in these elections, and both the United States and the European Union stated they do not recognize the announced results. The excessive use of police violence in protests that have taken place for six consecutive nights has sparked a wave of negative reactions and condemnation both inside and outside the country. Salome Zourabichvili, the President of Georgia, who is a staunch critic of the ruling party "Georgian Dream," has supported the protests and called for a re-election. However, the Tbilisi Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Ms. Zourabichvili's complaint and that of the opposition parties regarding this matter. This statement was issued simultaneously as Irakli Kobakhidze threatened his opponents with punishment. He stated at a press conference: "Opposition politicians who have organized violence in recent days while hiding in their offices will not escape responsibility." The population of Georgia is approximately 3.7 million, and according to polls, over 80% of the citizens of this country want to join the EU. Georgia's request to join the EU was submitted in December 2023 and has recently been suspended; however, relations between the two sides have soured following the approval of the controversial "foreign agent" law in Georgia. This law, similar to Russia's law, has been criticized as being aimed at threatening the media and civil society. The United States announced about five months ago that it would halt over $95 million in aid to Georgia, warning that the country is regressing from democracy.