Activist, Davit Katsarava, was detained for protesting peacefully on May 14. Police subjected him to beating, strangulation, and other degrading treatment, which they filmed on their phones. He was hospitalized with broken facial bones, severe head concussion, and an eye injury.
PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: August 5, 2024
take action:
- Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
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contact information:
Mr. Irakli Kobakhidze,
Prime Minister
Administration of the Government of Georgia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgianGovernment
Phone: (995 32) 299 09 00
Georgian Embassy in the United States
Ambassador David Zalkaliani
1824 R Street,
NW, Washington DC 20009
Email: [email protected]
sample letter:
Dear Prime Minister / Your Excellency,
I am writing to you in connection with the arbitrary arrest, beating, and abuse of activist, Davit Katsarava.
Davit Katsarava was apprehended by special police forces on May 14 in front of the Parliament while protesting peacefully against the law “On Transparency of Foreign Influence.” Several masked men without identification numbers from special police forces started beating him in his face and head while hurling insults. He was then taken to a police minivan, where they continued beating him with special knuckle-duster gloves, aiming sustained blows at his face and head. One of the officers also attempted to strangle him with his scarf several times. After several hours of violence and humiliation, officers filmed him before ostensibly waiting for confirmation to hand him over to patrol police. After signing administrative proceedings for “petty hooliganism” patrol police transferred him to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a severe brain concussion, multiple facial bone fractures, including a broken eye socket and jaw, and had to undergo urgent surgery. He continues to suffer from loss of eyesight and heavy concussion.
I urge you to ensure a prompt, impartial, and effective investigation into all allegations of torture or other ill-treatment of protestors during or after protests, or while in detention, including that of Davit Katsarava, and to bring those responsible to account in fair trial proceedings, including any officials who gave orders for the unlawful use of force.
Additionally, I ask you to take urgent and effective measures to prevent torture and other ill-treatment of protesters and ensure that people can protest peacefully without fear of being arbitrarily arrested, physically assaulted, or otherwise abused for peacefully protesting or expressing dissenting opinions.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
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