From November 28 until today, no individual responsible for torture, inhumane treatment, or violence against peaceful demonstrators and media has been held criminally liable, and police forces continue systemic physical violence.

The majority of persons detained on February 2nd point to physical violence during and after their arrest, with some noting that violence was carried out inside vehicles. Multiple circumstances and evidence confirm this.

On February 2nd, footage disseminated by media clearly shows a white minibus where several detainees, including a minor, are being placed. Footage from TV Pirveli also clearly reveals the vehicle's license plate (state number UD 117 DU). One of the detainees who was in the minibus states that immediately after the car door closed, detainees were physically beaten for approximately 1 minute (disseminated video footage also shows that members of the special task force enter the minibus in groups, use violence, and then exit after several minutes).

The minor detainee also speaks about violence against persons in the minibus. He notes that both before and after being placed in the minibus, his personal belongings were taken, and he was subjected to violence despite his age being known. The minor also confirms physical violence against other detainees in the minibus and indicates that it was accompanied by verbal abuse.

It's notable that on December 2nd, detainees had already provided a detailed description of the circumstances of brutal treatment in special minibuses, recalling that at least 6 special forces members were violent towards them. The license plate and other characteristics of the minibus documented by media on February 2nd are significant evidence, including for identifying those responsible for torture in the minibus in early December.

According to current legislation, the Special Investigation Service (hereafter - Service) is responsible for investigating systemic crimes committed by police forces from November 28, 2024. However, publicly available information clearly indicates that the Service is not fulfilling its function and is not effectively responding to criminal actions committed by police forces.

The Service first responded to developments after November 28 with a public statement on November 30th and periodically publishes quantitative data on investigative actions. However, to date, no results have been achieved within the investigation and no criminal prosecution has been initiated against any law enforcement.

We believe that the footage disseminated by the media on February 2nd, statements of victims, and various incident witnesses provide sufficient information for the Special Investigation Service to respond appropriately. Simultaneously, the timely and proper response to criminal actions documented in various publicly accessible sources on February 2nd would help identify and/or hold accountable those responsible for other criminal actions committed since November 28.

IDFI considers that inadequate response to identified cases will be further evidence indicating deliberate non-investigation of systemic crime by the Special Investigation Service and/or the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia.