The Public Defender of Georgia called on the Special Investigation Service to immediately launch an investigation into Sunday’s developments during the protest rally and hold the responsible persons accountable.

The Public Defender will take legal action on each incident, the agency reported.

“The incidents of police mistreatment and excessive use of force against citizens, journalists, and politicians, as shown in video footage circulating in public sources, are alarming. Information is also spreading about police injuring a TV Pirveli cameraman. Additionally, we witnessed footage of verbal abuse by police officers against women, including female politicians, during live broadcasts.

The Public Defender condemns all illegal actions by police officers, especially instances of mistreatment. The Public Defender will take legal action on each incident.

The Public Defender calls on the Special Investigation Service to immediately investigate all these incidents and bring the responsible persons to criminal justice.

We also call on the General Inspection of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to conduct an internal investigation into the incidents of verbal abuse and unethical conduct by police officers.

The Public Defender’s representatives will visit all detained citizens, including politicians. Additional information will be provided to the public later. The Public Defender’s Office hotline to report cases of rights violations is 1481, and it operates 24/7,” the Public Defender’s statement reads.