Dear Mr. Katsitadze Head of the Special Investigation Service of Georgia,
I am writing to demand justice for jailed journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli, and for police officers to be brought to account for the use of unlawful force and other violations against peaceful protesters in Batumi on 11-12 January 2025, specifically the Chief of Batumi Police Irakli Dgebuadze, and also in connection with allegations of torture or other ill-treatment against detainees by police.
As you will be well aware, Mzia Amaghlobeli is standing trial for allegedly using violence against Irakli Dgebuadze, and faces prison if found guilty. There is video footage in which she is seen slapping him on the face, against the background of abusive actions by the police force in the streets of Batumi against peaceful protesters, and following Amaghlobeli’s earlier, manifestly arbitrary arrest.
I call on you to ensure that Irakli Dgebuadze and all police officers involved in arbitrary arrests and alleged ill-treatment of peaceful protestors, are immediately suspended in their duties until all allegations against them, including but not only those from 11-12 January 2025, are promptly, impartially and effectively investigated, and necessary disciplinary, administrative or criminal proceedings enacted as appropriate, in compliance with their fair trial rights. I further demand full respect for Amaghlobeli’s and all Georgian protesters’ human rights, including the right to a fair trial.
Yours sincerely,
(Naam, adres)
To: Koka Katsitadze Postzegel buitenland
Head of the Special Investigation Service
№09 M. Asatiani St.
Tbilisi, Georgia
Copy to: Embassy of Georgia Postzegel Nederland
c/o Mr. David Makhitashvili
Lange Vijverberg 12
2513 AC Den Haag
of
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