The Tbilisi Prosecutor’s Office’s Juvenile Affairs Division has brought charges against two additional individuals in connection with acts of torture, inhuman treatment against a minor committed with prior knowledge, as well as the organization of and participation in group violence by an organized group.
An investigation conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs established that members of a group adhering to a so-called “fascist-Nazi” ideology, based on their beliefs, organized acts of violence against individuals whose lifestyle and identity they deemed unacceptable, including minors. Motivated by intolerance, the group systematically identified and targeted people with differing views, sexual orientation, and identity, attacking preselected victims in an organized and coordinated manner. The victims were humiliated, placed in degrading and dignity-violating conditions, subjected to physical and psychological abuse, and tortured.
The group also recorded videos of the violent acts and distributed the footage across various social media platforms and closed groups, causing the victims severe physical, psychological, and moral suffering.
Both suspects were arrested by law enforcement officers on January 21 of this year.
The detainees have been charged under Article 225, Parts 1 and 2 of the Criminal Code of Georgia (organization of group violence involving violence and participation therein); Article 144¹ (tertia), Part 2, subparagraphs “e” and “z” (inhuman treatment against a minor with prior knowledge and committed by a group); and Article 144¹ (prima), Part 2, subparagraph “z,” and Part 3, subparagraph “b” (torture of a minor committed with prior knowledge by an organized group). Taking into account the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Code, these charges carry a possible sentence of up to twelve years’ imprisonment.
The Prosecutor’s Office will apply to the court within the legally prescribed timeframe to request the imposition of a preventive measure against the accused.
The investigation continues at the Ministry of Internal Affairs to identify other individuals involved in the crime.
