Protester in Georgia given a 2-year sentence after detailing police violence and sexual assault threats
In a controversial ruling, Saba Skhvitaridze, a member of the opposition Ahali party, has been sentenced to two years in prison by Tbilisi City Court. The verdict was announced by Judge Jvebe Nachkebia on Wednesday.
The case stems from an incident during the ongoing anti-government protests in December 2024, where Skhvitaridze was involved in a confrontation with a masked individual. The masked individual, later identified as police officer Mirian Kavtaradze, was the basis for the charges against Skhvitaridze.
The altercation occurred during a meeting of opposition parties at the Courtyard Marriott hotel in Tbilisi's central Liberty Square on 4 December. According to reports, during the meeting, masked individuals dressed in black were mobilised near the hotel, and one of these individuals was confronted by a woman attempting to remove his mask, leading to a scuffle on the spot.
Initially, Skhvitaridze was accused of injuring a police officer, a charge that he denied. However, the investigation concluded that Skhvitaridze struck Kavtaradze twice with a baton. This allegation could not be substantiated with evidence according to Transparency International Georgia.
Skhvitaridze was not detained at the scene, but was taken into custody the next day while traveling by car with his father. The sentence was handed down on charges of intentional infliction of less serious bodily harm, reclassified from a more severe charge in July.
Skhvitaridze has recounted episodes of beatings, torture, humiliation, and threats by the police following his detention during the demonstrations. He was beaten twice on two different floors during his detention at the Tbilisi Police Main Department. Furthermore, he was threatened with sexual assault en route.
It's worth noting that Skhvitaridze has a background in civil society and student activism and has actively participated in demonstrations against the controversial foreign agent laws and Georgia's EU U-turn. His detention is linked to the ongoing protests, and his case is one of more than 50 criminal proceedings launched against those detained during the protests.
Regrettably, there is no public information indicating that any police officer has been held accountable for such actions. Several protesters have already been convicted and sentenced to years in prison.
This sentence has sparked widespread criticism and concerns about the freedom of speech and assembly in Georgia. The opposition parties and human rights organisations have called for an immediate release of Skhvitaridze and all other political prisoners. The case is expected to fuel the ongoing protests and the political tension in the country.
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