The Prosecutor’s Office said on July 15 that an Interior Ministry officer has been arrested on charges of exceeding official powers during the dispersal of the anti-occupation rally outside the Parliament building on June 20-21.
The Prosecutor’s Office also noted that the arrested police officer has exceeded his official powers and physically assaulted a person, who was detained for committing an administrative offence.
It also explained that investigation has been launched under article 333 of the criminal code of Georgia, involving exceeding official powers and punished by imprisonment for a term of five to eight years.
Investigation into the fact of exceeding official powers by law enforcement officers during the June 20-21 protest rally was launched on June 24.
The Interior Ministry announced later that ten law enforcers, who took part in the clash on Rustaveli Avenue, were suspended from their official duties pending inquest.
Tensions mounted around 10pm Tbilisi time on June 20, when part of the protestors tried to break through the first cordon of the police, but were pushed back by the riot police. Situation remained tense overnight.
240 people, including 80 police officers and 12 journalists have been treated for injuries. Many severe injuries to civilians occurred later during the night after the police dispersed protestors through massive use of tear gas and rubber bullets, including so called “less-lethal” rounds.
Follow our tag on Tbilisi protests for further developments.
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