The level of violence by Georgian authorities against peaceful protesters shockingly violated the country's domestic laws and international norms, the international human rights organization Human Rights Watch said in its report.
The organization said security forces harassed, forcibly detained and beat demonstrators in “widespread and clearly punitive actions.”
Police also tortured and mistreated detainees in police vans and police stations,” the report said.
Human Rights Watch notes that its representatives interviewed dozens of people who experienced police violence and suffered injuries that included concussions, multiple fractures to the nose, facial bones, ribs, and abrasions and bruises all over their bodies.
Authorities have charged and convicted hundreds of protesters in formal trials, but have not taken effective steps to respond to allegations of mistreatment of protesters by security forces, the report said.
Reprinted from newsgeorgia.ge
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