Assessments of a prisoner’s allegation of sexual violence by a guard

The accusation and the position of the Penitentiary Service

Convict Giorgi Davitadze stated that at the Rustavi No. 6 penitentiary institution, while being transferred to a de-escalation room, a guard sexually assaulted him and verbally abused him. The Special Penitentiary Service assessed this information as disinformation and stated that no violence against the convict had taken place. According to the agency, Davitadze refused a search when being transferred to the de-escalation cell, which is why staff conducted a forced search using an electronic detector. Publika+2

The Penitentiary Service released video footage, regarding which the agency's General Director Giorgi Pataridze stated that it shows neither facts degrading to dignity nor excessive use of force. At the same time, the convict's mother stated that the released video does not fully reflect what happened. Former Public Defender Nino Lomjaria noted that the video confirms the prisoner's account rather than excludes it. Current Public Defender Levan Ioseliani stated that he did not see evidence of violence in the footage, although the office notified the Prosecutor's Office about the accusation, which has launched an investigation. Imedi+1

Political assessments

Chairman of the Georgian Dream parliamentary faction Irakli Kirцkhalia described the prisoner's statement and the related protests as a "feeble campaign." According to Kirцkhalia, those who were themselves the authors of such actions are talking about torture in the penitentiary system. He also stated that the penitentiary service has met high standards since 2012 and the opposition is trying to damage the reputation of the system with blatant lies. Family members of the prisoner and members of the United National Movement, Ahali, Lelo, and Droa participated in the protest held at the Rustavi No. 6 institution. Imedi+4