The lawyer of detained lecturer Ketevan Khuskivadze, Mariam Kalandadze, stated that the head of the patrol police, Goga Memanishvili, verbally insulted her client directly.
Khuskivadze, who is in temporary detention, also reported that multiple police officers used excessive force during her arrest, causing pain in her armpit and neck areas.
“She did not verbally insult anyone. Moreover, several police officers illegally detained her using excessive force. She was verbally insulted, including by the head of the patrol police. According to the detainee, Goga Memanishvili personally insulted her during the arrest. She was cursed at. She feels pain in her neck and armpit areas because force was used during the detention, even though she did not resist,” – the lawyer told TV Pirveli.
On November 19, the police detained 13 people administratively. Their court hearings are expected to take place today.
At 19:00, a demonstration supporting the 21-year-old detainee Mate Devidze was announced from Tbilisi State University. Protesters moved via Melikishvili Street to Rustaveli Avenue, and some continued along Polikharpe Kakabadze Street. The police did not allow demonstrators to move onto the roadway.
According to activists and eyewitnesses, the following 13 people were detained:
- Ketevan Khuskivadze
- Luka Khizadze
- Khalibeg Magamedov
- Rezi Dumbadze
- Giorgi Zhamerashvili
- Elene Berikashvili
- Gia Jvarshishvili
- Vaso Beridze
- Nino Bardzimishvili
- Mariam Svanishvili
- Davit Gunashvili
- N.D.
- Nino Gudashvili
The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that these 13 participants were detained under the Administrative Offenses Code:
“The detained individuals did not comply with the lawful requests of police officers and verbally insulted law enforcement officers while they were performing their official duties,” – the ministry said.
The Institute for Democracy Research assessed the police actions during the Mate Devidze solidarity march as illegal obstruction, suppression of protest, and unlawful detention, representing an abuse of authority by law enforcement.
“Representatives of the security forces did not allow peaceful demonstrators to exercise their right to assembly and manifestation. Despite the sufficient number of officers, the participants were first forced onto the sidewalks using physical force, and then were ordered to leave the sidewalks. Simultaneously, more than 10 demonstrators were detained using force. Today’s actions constitute a crime. The ruling party, Georgian Dream, uses coercive methods against peaceful protesters and ultimately seeks to deprive them of the right to express their opinions,” – the Institute for Democracy Research stated.