Penitentiary Service rejects violence against defendant N.B., labels conflicting reports as disinformation

“No violence of any kind took place against N.B. Consequently, the disseminated reports do not correspond to reality and aim to mislead the public,” the Special Penitentiary Service said in a statement.

Additionally, the Special Penitentiary Service has released video footage related to defendant N.B.

“The Special Penitentiary Service is responding to another slanderous piece of information spread by certain biased media outlets regarding defendant N.B. We emphasize that no violence of any kind was committed against N.B. Consequently, the conflicting report does not correspond to reality and aims to mislead the public and discredit the Penitentiary Service and its employees,” the statement reads.

“We would like to inform the public that defendant N.B. was placed in Penitentiary Institution No. 2 on August 20, 2024. He was housed in a cell equipped with surveillance cameras, where on August 25, 2024, using a disposable razor in the bathroom, he self-inflicted injuries to both hands. Upon leaving the bathroom, he lost consciousness and hit his head on the floor, resulting in multiple skull injuries. This incident was recorded through electronic surveillance.”

“N.B. immediately received primary medical assistance in the penitentiary institution and was transferred to a civilian sector clinic, Kutaisi Referral Hospital, and on the same day—based on the needs identified through medical examinations—to Vivamedi Clinic.”

“On November 4, 2024, for further treatment, he was transferred to Penitentiary Institution No. 18 for Defendants and Convicts’ Medical Facility, where he received appropriate medical services and remained under constant supervision of medical personnel.

Regarding the incident, the relevant investigative unit of the Ministry of Justice has been probing since August 25, 2024, per Georgian legislation, and intensive investigative actions are ongoing. During the investigation, N.B.’s family members and his legal defender were given multiple opportunities to review the case materials, including access to footage obtained through the video surveillance system.”

“On April 23, 2025, the Batumi City Court found N.B. guilty of committing the crime provided for in Article 19-108 of the Criminal Code and determined imprisonment for a 10-year term as the type and measure of the main punishment. Medical personnel from the penitentiary institution were questioned as witnesses during the trial. Immediately upon sentencing, the court postponed the convict’s serving of the sentence until recovery or substantial improvement of health condition, based on which N.B. was released from Medical Institution No. 18.”

“It is noteworthy that recently, attempts to manipulate public opinion through slanderous statements aimed at discrediting the activities of the Penitentiary Service by certain biased media outlets and individuals have become more frequent. We assure the public that not a single such case will remain without appropriate response,” the statement from the Special Penitentiary Service concludes.